The Kashmir Pulse

KATHUA — Security forces in Kathua district made a significant recovery on Thursday as they recovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in a border area.

According to official sources quoted by a local news agency, alert troops from the Border Security Forces (BSF) in Jammu noticed drone activity in the depth area of village Manihari, located under the jurisdiction of Rajbagh Police Station in Tehsil Marheen of Hiranagar area Kathua, during the night. Responding swiftly, the troops engaged the drone with fire, prompting further investigation.

Following the drone encounter, thorough searches were conducted in the area, leading to the recovery of the IED believed to have been dropped by the drone.

An investigation into the incident has been initiated, with authorities working to ascertain the origin and intentions behind the placement of the IED.

SRINAGAR — A potentially catastrophic situation was averted on Wednesday as security forces successfully detected and destroyed an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) concealed within a gas cylinder in Lawaypora, Srinagar, officials said.

According to an official statement provided to the news agency KNO, a coordinated effort by a joint team of armed personnel, including units from 2 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Jammu and Kashmir Police, found the concealed IED within a gas cylinder in the Lawaypora area on the outskirts of Srinagar.

Further investigation is underway to determine the nature and composition of the suspicious object, stated another official involved in the operation.

Following the successful neutralization of the IED, traffic along the highway, which was temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure, has now been resumed, restoring normalcy in the area.

SRINAGAR — Authorities from the Jammu and Kashmir Police have categorically dismissed claims circulating about an alleged Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast occurring in Khudwani Qaimoh in Kulgam.

A police official, while speaking to a local news agency, vehemently denied the authenticity of reports circulating on social media platforms regarding a purported militant-led IED blast in the area. The official labelled these claims as "concocted and baseless."

"No such incident has taken place anywhere in the district," the police official affirmed, urging the public to disregard and refrain from believing in such unfounded rumours.

Emphasizing a firm stance against those perpetuating false information, the official added that rumour mongers spreading such misinformation will face strict legal consequences.

SRINAGAR — Security forces on Monday claimed to have recovered two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in a forest area of Kupwara.

An official said that two IEDs were recovered by the security forces from Wodhpora forest area of Handwara in Kupwara district. He said that a search operation is going on in the area.

Meanwhile, army in a statement said that Indian Army in a joint operation with Handwara Police recovered two IEDs from Wodhpura near NH-701 early in the morning on Monday.

"Based on information from a reliable source, Indian Army and Handwara Police launched a swift and well-coordinated search and destruction operation (SADO) in Wodhpura forest in the wee hours today," the statement said.

It added that the operation resulted in the recovery of two sophisticated IEDs of approximately 5 and 7 kilograms, concealed in the jungle area.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Police on Sunday claimed to have arrested a militant associate along with an IED weighing 5 to 6 kilograms in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

"Pulwama Police averted a major tragedy by apprehending a militant associate Ishfaq Ahmad Wani, resident of Arigam Pulwama and recovering an IED (approx 5-6 kilogram) on his disclosure," s spokesman of Kashmir Police Zone said in a tweet.

The spokesman further said that a case has been registered and an investigation has started in this connection.

KULGAM — Security forces on Saturday averted a major tragedy by detecting and subsequently diffusing two IEDs planted by militants in Frisal area of Kulgam district.

Kashmir Police Zone in a tweet said that Kulgam Police along with 1 RR of the Indian Army averted a major tragedy by detecting and subsequently diffusing two IEDs (a timer and another sticky) planted by militants in Frisal area of Kulgam district.

"Area has been cordoned off and searches are going on. Further details shall follow," it said.

KULGAM — Security forces on Saturday averted a major tragedy by detecting and subsequently diffusing two IEDs planted by militants in Frisal area of Kulgam district.

Kashmir Police Zone in a tweet said that Kulgam Police along with 1 RR of the Indian Army averted a major tragedy by detecting and subsequently diffusing two IEDs (a timer and another sticky) planted by militants in Frisal area of Kulgam district.

"Area has been cordoned off and searches are going on. Further details shall follow," it said.

POONCH — Jammu and Kashmir Police in Poonch claimed to have arrested five militant associates and said that an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and a pistol have been recovered from their possession.

Addressing a press conference, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Poonch, Rohit Baskotra said that on September 28, information was received from Border Security Force (BSF) about the presence of some suspected person carrying an IED-like substance in Poonch for planting somewhere and endangering lives of innocent, security personnel.

“Soon after receiving the information, different teams were constituted along with CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) men under the supervision of Additional SP Poonch Mushim Ahmed, Deputy SP HQrs Poonch Nawaz Ahmed and Deputy SP Operation Poonch Manish Sharma respectively to nab the suspects to avert any incident,” SSP said.

Accordingly, all the sister agencies and ground sources were activated for early and timely action and the information was further developed and corroborated by PC Poonch under the supervision of Deputy SP Manish Sharma and it was found that a bag containing a steel box having an IED fitted in it has been kept by some unknown person in Prade Park Poonch.

"On this, police along with officials of BSF, CRPF, lady police of women cell and Bomb Disposal Squad tactfully recovered the IED from the spot and diffused it and one lady namely Zaitoon Akhter (35) wife of Mohd Azad resident of Qasba was apprehended from the spot and was brought to Police Station Poonch for questioning," he said.

A case under FIR number 202/2022 under sections 4/5 ESA Act was registered at Police Station Poonch and an investigation was taken up, police said. "During sustained questioning and interrogation, she disclosed that this IED was brought by her husband namely Mohd Azad, son of Faiz Mohd, resident of Qasba," SSP Poonch Rohit Baskotra added.

Special teams were constituted to nab Mohd Azad, who was arrested in the instant case and during initial interrogation, he revealed that he along with one person namely Qamar Din son of Mohammada, resident of Kirni are in touch with their relatives in Pakistan and his maternal uncle namely Bashir Ahmed alias Tickka Khan is associated with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militant outfits, SSP informed.

“During the course of investigation on the disclosure of Qamar Din, one pistol, two magazines and 43 rounds were recovered from Kirni in the presence of the Executive Magistrate," SSP said.

SSP Poonch Rohit Baskotra also briefed about the recovery of six kilograms and 280 grams of fine-quality narcotics-like substance from the possession of two accused in Poonch town.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Police on Sunday claimed to have averted a major incident by recovering an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) weighing around 10-12 kilograms in Tral area of Pulwama district.

Kashmir Zone Police, as per the news agency KNO, informed that based on a specific input by police, IED weighing around 10-12 kilograms was recovered in Beihgund area of Tral. Police also said that the Army and police were on job to destroy the IED in-situ.

“On a specific input of police, an IED, approx 10-12 Kgm has been recovered in Beihgund area of #Tral. Police and Army are on the job to destroy it insitu. A major #terror incident averted,” police tweeted.

PULWAMA — A major tragedy was averted on Wednesday when the security forces recovered an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by militants in Pulwama district.

Officials, as per news agency KNO, said that an IED planted by militants near Tahab crossing on Circular road in Pulwama was detected and recovered by the security forces.

ADGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that an IED weighing around 25kg to 30kg was recovered on Circular road in Pulwama by a joint team of police and security forces.

He said that a major tragedy has been averted by specific input generated by the Pulwama Police.