In a significant development under Operation Chowkibal, security forces successfully recovered a substantial cache of arms and ammunition in the Kupwara district of north Kashmir, thwarting a potential terrorist plot near the Line of Control (LoC).
The operation was the result of a collaborative effort involving the 160 Battalion of the Territorial Army, 5 PARA, and the Jammu and Kashmir Police, initiated from the Police Station Kralpora. Intelligence provided by Military Intelligence spurred the raid, conducted from July 27 to 28 in the Chowkibal area.
The primary target was identified as the residence of Wali Mohammad Mir, a local from Marsary village. During the search, security personnel uncovered an arsenal that included one AK-56 rifle, three AK-56 magazines, seventeen Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) grenades, and over 1,000 rounds of AK-series ammunition.
Officials characterized this seizure as a significant setback for militant logistics and a disruption to cross-border arms smuggling operations. The area has been known for recurrent infiltration attempts and terrorist activities.
Following the operation, an FIR (No. 53/2025) was registered at Police Station Kralpora. This filing includes relevant sections of the Arms Act (7/25), the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (sections 13, 23, 39), and the Explosive Substances Act (Section 5).
A senior official remarked on the effectiveness of the coordinated effort, noting, “Operation Chowkibal demonstrates a high level of synergy between the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police.” Investigations are now underway to trace the origins of the weapons and establish potential links to militant groups.
Authorities are expected to continue follow-up searches and intelligence-driven operations in the vicinity, aiming to dismantle any remaining facets of the network involved in the storage and distribution of illegal arms.
