Security forces have arrested two suspected associates of terrorists in a forest area of Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir, recovering a pistol, ammunition and a hand grenade from their possession.
The arrests took place in the Yarwan forest area of CB Nath in Rajpora, where a joint team of Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Army and the Central Reserve Police Force was conducting a security operation.
The operation was launched after security agencies received coordinated inputs about suspected activity in the area. A cordon and search operation was subsequently carried out across the forest region.
During the search, security personnel noticed two men emerging from the forest in the direction of CB Nath village. Their movements were considered suspicious, prompting the joint teams to move in and take them into custody.
The two men were identified as Latif Ahmad Deedad and Aejaz Ahmad Bajad, according to officials.
A search of the suspects resulted in the recovery of one pistol, 12 pistol rounds and one hand grenade.
The two men, along with the recovered weapons and ammunition, were taken into custody as investigators began examining their alleged activities and possible connections.
A case has been registered at Rajpora police station under relevant provisions of the Arms Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Authorities are investigating where the recovered weapons came from and whether the suspects were connected to a wider terror-support network.
Investigators are also expected to examine the suspects' movements, communications and possible contacts as part of the inquiry.
The recovery of weapons from the forest area is significant because security agencies have been focusing on identifying local networks that may provide logistical support to terrorist groups.
Such networks can potentially facilitate the movement or concealment of weapons and provide other forms of assistance to active terrorist operatives. Disrupting those networks is therefore an important component of counter-terror operations.
The Pulwama arrests come amid increased security activity across parts of south Kashmir.
Earlier on Monday, security forces arrested three suspected overground workers in neighbouring Shopian district during a separate operation. Two hand grenades and posters carrying markings associated with the banned Hizbul Mujahideen were reportedly recovered in that case.
The separate operations indicate that security agencies are continuing to investigate suspected local support structures in the region.
In the Pulwama case, however, authorities have not yet publicly established the specific terrorist organisation, if any, with which the two arrested men may have been associated.
The investigation is expected to focus on the origin of the recovered weapons, their intended destination and whether the suspects were acting on behalf of a wider network.
Officials have described the recovery as an operational success in efforts to disrupt terror networks and prevent attempts to disturb peace and security in the district.
For investigators, establishing the source of the pistol, ammunition and grenade could provide important clues about how weapons are being moved through the area.
Authorities will also examine whether the two suspects had links with other individuals involved in facilitating terrorist activity.
The arrests are part of continued security operations across Jammu and Kashmir, where agencies have been conducting searches, checkpoints and intelligence-led operations to identify suspected terrorist associates and disrupt support networks.
At present, the two men remain in custody and the investigation is continuing.
The immediate focus is on tracing the source of the recovered weapons, determining the suspects' alleged role and identifying any wider connections that may emerge during the investigation.
Further details are expected once investigators complete their initial questioning and establish whether the recovered arms were connected to any broader terrorist network.
