Srinagar, June 9: Security forces have foiled an alleged illegal arms movement in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district with the recovery of two pistols, magazines and live ammunition during a joint operation, police said on Tuesday.
The operation began on June 7 when a joint team of Baramulla Police and the Army’s 52 Rashtriya Rifles established a Mobile Vehicle Checking Point (MVCP) at Chandsuma, Kanispora. During checking, a white Maruti Brezza travelling from Srinagar to Baramulla was intercepted and searched.
Police recovered a foreign-made CANIK TP9SF METE (9×19 mm) pistol, manufactured in Turkey, from a bag allegedly carried by a co-passenger identified as Wakeel Ahmed Theekri, a resident of Kamalkot in Uri.
According to police, the accused failed to produce any valid licence or legal authorisation for possessing the weapon. Preliminary inquiry suggested that the driver was merely providing a ride to the co-passenger and claimed no knowledge of the recovered firearm.
Following the seizure, police registered a case under Section 7/25 of the Arms Act at Police Station Baramulla and launched an investigation to determine the weapon’s source, intended use and possible links.
Acting on information obtained during the investigation, Baramulla Police conducted a search operation at Kalsi Hardu in Kamalkot, Uri, on Monday. The search was carried out in the presence of an executive magistrate, the local lambardar and chowkidar.
During the operation, police recovered a Chinese-made pistol, two magazines and 13 live rounds of ammunition, which were seized as evidence.
Police said the latest recovery indicates the possibility of a wider unlawful arms possession network. Efforts are underway to identify other persons involved and trace the origin of the recovered weapons and ammunition. Investigation into the case is continuing. (Agencies)
