Security Forces Bust Poonch Terror Hideout, Seize Multiple IEDs and AK Ammunition

Joint security forces busted a major terror hideout in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Saturday, seizing six Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and ammunition in a high-stakes search operation.

The operation was launched in the Draba belt of the Surankote sector following precise intelligence inputs. A combined team of the Indian Army’s 16 Rashtriya Rifles, the Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K Police, and the 38 Battalion of the CRPF cordoned off the forested terrain to flush out the hidden cache.

Multiple Explosives and Wireless Sets Recovered

During the targeted search, troops uncovered a natural cavern housing ready-to-use explosives and communication equipment. The recovery included:

• Improvised Explosive Devices: One gamla-type IED, one gool-type IED, and four small-calibre IEDs.
• Communication & Ammunition: One Motorola wireless transceiver and seven live rounds of AK-47 ammunition.

Defusal teams neutralised the threat on site, preventing potential strikes targeting civilian areas and security convoys along the sensitive border corridor.

Sustained Crackdown Across Poonch and Rajouri Belts

The recovery follows a string of joint tactical drives across the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri, where security forces have systematically targeted terrorist logistics networks over recent weeks.

In Poonch's Sawjian and Khanetar forests, recent raids yielded heavy machine gun rounds, hand grenades, and AK-series rifles. Simultaneously, troops patrolling the Line of Control in the Balakote and Mendhar sectors intercepted cross-border narcotics shipments alongside foreign-manufactured pistols dropped across the fence.

Drones and Sniffer Dogs Deployed in High-Altitude Comb-Outs

In neighbouring Rajouri district, security operations have expanded deep into dense forest belts like Gambhir Mughlan, Dorimal, and Chamrer.

Troops from the Army, SOG, and CRPF are employing aerial drones, surveillance helicopters, and sniffer dogs to search natural caves and dense cover. Recent sweeps in Thanamandi uncovered hidden logistics caches packed with survival gear, cold-weather blankets, gas stoves, and dry rations meant to sustain hiding foreign militants.

Search teams remain deployed in the Draba forest belt as sweep operations continue to ensure no secondary caches remain in the area.