Kupwara cave raid: Chinese arms, IED manual recovered in 3-day joint op; anti-terror operations continue across J&K

NEW DELHI: Security forces have recovered a cache of arms and explosives including Chinese grenades and an IED manual from a stony cave in the Kalaroos area of Kupwara district following a joint three-day operation, officials said on Monday.
The Border Security Force, Indian Army, and Jammu and Kashmir Police carried out the operation between August 2 and 4. According to a statement from BSF Kashmir, “In a 3-day joint search operation in Kalaroos, Kupwara (J&K), BSF, Army and police uncovered a stony cave on 04 Aug 2025. 12 Chinese grenades, Chinese pistol with ammunition, Kenwood radio set, Urdu IED manual and fire sticks recovered from the hideout and foiled the nefarious plan of the terrorist.”



As per intelligence inputs, 'terrorists were directed by their Pakistani handlers to use these to target state police and other security forces in the coming days'.

The joint forces said the recovery points to cross-border terror support and efforts to revive militant activity in North Kashmir.

In South Kashmir, operations are also underway in the Akhal Devsar area of Kulgam district for the fourth consecutive day. One terrorist has been killed so far in a firefight. On Saturday, security forces engaged in an overnight encounter with militants in the Akhal area. The Indian Army’s Chinar Corps posted on X: “OP AKHAL, Kulgam. Intermittent and intense firefight continued through the night. Alert troops responded with calibrated fire and tightened the noose while maintaining contact. One terrorist has been neutralised by the security forces so far. Operation continues.”

Meanwhile, in another anti-infiltration operation on July 30 in the Poonch sector, the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps neutralised two armed operatives attempting to cross the Line of Control. In a post on X, the corps said: “Operation Shivashakti. In a successful anti-infiltration operation, alert troops of the Indian Army eliminated two terrorists attempting to infiltrate across the Line of Control. Swift action and accurate firepower thwarted the nefarious designs. Three weapons have been recovered.”

The series of operations comes in the backdrop of recent counterterror actions including Operation Mahadev, in which three Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives were killed. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during a debate in Lok Sabha, said, “In the Operation Mahadev, Suleman alias Faizal..., Afghan and Jibran, these three terrorists were killed in a joint operation of the Indian Army, CRPF and J&K Police... Suleman was an A-category commander of the Lashkar-e-Taiba.”

The three were eliminated in the Harwan area near Dachigam National Park, and had been linked to the Pahalgam terror attack. The operations across various sectors reflect increased coordination between the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, and intelligence agencies to thwart infiltration and terror activities.

(With inputs from news agency ANI)