US made latest rifle, 400 grenades recovered in Kashmir

Srinagar, July 9 (UNI) A latest sophisticated US-made rifle AR M-16, about 400 grenades, 145 detonators and thousands of rounds were part of the warlike stores recovered by the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) in north Kashmir.

The weapons recovered were enough to cause large-scale disturbance in the Kashmir valley.

An Army spokesman said 41 RR launched a search operation in the general area of Joeta and Khabalmarg in the frontier district of Kupwara early yesterday after receiving inputs from various intelligence agencies.

After searching the area for several hours, troops finally unearthed an underground four feet by five feet hideout in dense forest.

The cache included one PIKA Gun, one Sniper rifle, one AR M-16 rifle, two AK-56 rifles and four pistols.

Other ammunition and explosive recovered from the hideout included 1391 rounds of PIKA Gun, 420 rounds of AR M-16 rifle, 5118 rounds of rifle AK-56, 229 UBGL grenades, 117 hand grenades (Pak), 56 Chinese grenades, 21 rounds of RPG, 56 RPG booster, 145 detonators, 07 RCIED devices, 13 Hand held radio sets, 26 magazines of AK 56 rifle, 12 magazines of pistol, 04 magazines of sniper rifle and one telescopic sight of sniper rifle.

He said this is for the first time that US-made AR M-16 rifle, which is more sophisticated than any other weapon, has been recovered in the Kashmir valley during the 17 year-long militancy.

Spokesman said the recovery was first major one during this year.

UNI