Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Police Recover Major Arms Cache in Sopore Forest
Police searched a forest area near Sopore after receiving information about hidden weapons.
They found a barrel and a bag tucked under a large rock.
A Bomb Disposal Squad was called to check the dangerous materials safely.
Police reported finding rifles, pistols, grenades and equipment used with explosives.
Most reports say three remote-controlled explosive devices were found, but another report says there were two.
Police opened a case and are trying to find out who hid the items.
They are also checking whether the cache was connected to a planned attack or a group.
The investigation has not yet established where the cache came from or what it was intended for.
Sopore Police launched a search operation in Mukaam Cherhar after receiving specific intelligence about concealed arms.
A blue barrel and a bag were found beneath a large boulder; a Bomb Disposal Squad handled the suspected explosives.
The reported cache included two rifles, four pistols, an MGL with five rounds, 11 hand grenades, ammunition and related equipment.
Reports differ on the number of remote-controlled IEDs recovered: three in most accounts and two in another.
Police registered FIR No. 66/2026 at Police Station Bomai and are investigating the cache’s origin and possible links to terrorist activity.
- Who
- Sopore Police and security personnel conducted the search; a Bomb Disposal Squad examined the suspected explosives.
- What
- Authorities recovered a cache of weapons, ammunition, explosives and related materials.
- When
- The articles do not specify the date of the recovery.
- Where
- Mukaam Cherhar forest area, within Police Station Bomai’s jurisdiction in Sopore, Jammu and Kashmir.
- Why
- The operation followed specific intelligence inputs indicating concealed arms were in the area.
Officials’ security assessment
Unresolved questions
Significance and intended use
Officials’ security assessment
Officials described the recovery as a significant counter-terrorism success that could provide leads and help prevent attacks.
Unresolved questions
Police have not established whether the cache was linked to planned terrorist activity or an active network; one officer said they were also examining whether it was an old dump.
Number of remote-controlled IEDs
Officials’ security assessment
Several reports state that three remote-controlled IEDs were recovered.
Unresolved questions
One report states that two remote-controlled IEDs were recovered.
- Recovery site
- Mukaam Cherhar forest area, Sopore
- Items’ hiding place
- A blue barrel and a bag concealed beneath a large boulder; one report describes the location as a natural cave
- Reported weapons
- One AK-47, one AK-76, four pistols and one MGL with five rounds
- Other reported items
- 11 hand grenades, magazines, ammunition, eight detonators, two timers and IED-related materials
- IED count
- Most reports say three remote-controlled IEDs; one report says two
- Police case
- FIR No. 66/2026 registered at Police Station Bomai under the UAPA, Arms Act and Explosive Substances Act
- Investigation
- Police are tracing the cache’s origin, intended use and possible links to active terrorist networks
Sources
J-K: Arms, ammunition, explosive material recovered Sopore forest
J&K: Major Arms Cache Recovered In Sopore Forests In Significant Counter Terrorism Operation
Major cache of arms, ammunition, explosives recovered from Sopore’s Mukaam Cherhar Forest