Security forces recover Chinese pistol, suspected narcotics near LoC in Poonch

POONCH — Security forces recovered a concealed cache containing a Chinese-origin pistol and suspected narcotic substances from a forward area close to the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district, triggering an investigation into possible cross-border smuggling or militant-linked movement of contraband.

The recovery was made by a patrolling party of 22 JAK RIF Battalion deployed under 120 Infantry Brigade in the Balakote sector, falling under the Police Station Mendhar jurisdiction.

The cache was found in the general area of Ziarat, barely 50 meters inside the Indian side of the LoC, an area regarded as operationally sensitive due to infiltration and cross-border smuggling attempts.

Officials said troops noticed suspicious signs near a tree during a routine domination patrol and subsequently found a bag buried beneath dry leaves in what appeared to be a deliberate concealment attempt.

The location and manner of concealment immediately raised suspicion of a planned retrieval or drop operation.

Before touching the cache, the Army sanitised the entire area and conducted precautionary checks to rule out the possibility of an improvised explosive device or booby trap.

Only after ensuring the absence of an explosive threat was the buried bag recovered.

The recovered material included a Chinese-origin pistol, two yellow polyethene-wrapped packets containing suspected narcotic-like substances and a blue polybag carrying Lahore markings.

The Lahore-marked bag has also attracted investigative attention as agencies seek to determine the source and intended destination of the consignment.

No arrests have been made so far.

The Mendhar-Balakote belt has witnessed multiple recoveries of arms, narcotics and infiltration-related material in the past, making such recoveries strategically important from both security and counter-smuggling perspectives.

Officials said the recovered material had been seized, and further investigation was underway to establish possible forward and backward linkages connected to the cache.