Security forces foiled an alleged illegal arms movement by recovering a foreign-made pistol from a vehicle during checking in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said on Tuesday.
During the subsequent investigation, police also recovered another pistol, magazines and live ammunition.
Police said a Mobile Vehicle Checking Point (MVCP) was established at Chandsuma, Kanispora, on June 7 by a joint team of Baramulla Police and the Army’s 52 Rashtriya Rifles, during which a white Maruti Brezza travelling from Srinagar towards Baramulla was intercepted for checking.
During the search of the vehicle, police recovered a foreign-made pistol — a CANIK TP9SF METE (9×19 mm), manufactured in Turkey — from a bag allegedly carried by the co-passenger.
The accused was identified as Wakeel Ahmed Theekri, a resident of Kamalkot, Uri.
“The individual failed to produce any valid licence or legal authorisation for possession of the weapon. Preliminary inquiry revealed that the driver was providing a ride to the co-passenger and claimed no knowledge of the recovered weapon,” police said.
Accordingly, an under Section 7/25 of the Arms Act was registered at Police Station Baramulla. The weapon was seized, and an investigation was set into motion to ascertain its source, intended use, and possible links.
During the course of the investigation, and at the instance of the arrested accused, Baramulla Police conducted a search operation at Kalsi Hardu, Kamalkot, Uri, on Monday.
Police said the search was carried out in the presence of an executive magistrate, the local lambardar, and the chowkidar. During the operation, police recovered one Chinese-made pistol, two magazines, and 13 live rounds of ammunition, which were subsequently seized as evidence.
Police said the fresh recovery points towards a possible larger unlawful arms possession network, adding that further investigation is underway to identify other persons involved and trace the source of the recovered weapons and ammunition.
