Pakistani markings on grenades, medicines, eatable items seized from slain terrorists in Kashmir's Naugam: Army

Army said on Saturday that Pakistani markings were found on grenades seized from four slain terrorists in Naugam sector on Thursday.

Srinagar: Confirming the complicity of the neighbouring country in abetting terrorism, the Army said on Saturday that Pakistani markings were found on grenades seized from four slain terrorists in Naugam sector of Kashmir on Thursday.

"Pakistan Ordinance Factory markings on hand grenades (ARGES 84) and UBGL grenades seized from the terrorists confirms Pakistan's complicity in abetting terrorism," an Army spokesman said.

"Pakistani markings are also seen on medicines and eatable items seized by the force," he said, as per PTI.

Four terrorists were killed in a gun battle with the Army in Naugam sector while they were trying to sneak into the Valley from Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.

He said highly inflammable material, including six plastic explosive slabs, six bottles of petroleum jelly, six bottles of inflammable liquid and six lighters were also seized.

"Similar type of inflammable material was used at Poonch on September 11 and in the Uri attack on September 18. This shows the sinister design of Pakistan to aid terrorists is causing maximum destruction," he added. 

Four AK-47 assault rifles, 16 magazines, 349 ammunition rounds, 6 UBGL grenades, 5 ARGES 84 hand grenades, one radio set, one GPS, one binocular, three wire cutters, one Samsung mobile, four rain ponchos and haversack and a first aid kit were also seized by the Army from the slain terrorists. 

Recoveries of Naugam Operation confirm Pakistan connection, Press Release attached #PakSupportTerror @adgpi pic.twitter.com/GvQO5jCcih — NorthernComd.IA (@NorthernComd_IA) October 8, 2016

Suspected militants snatch rifles from cops in Kashmir

Meanwhile, suspected militants tonight decamped with two rifles from cops guarding a minority picket in south Kashmir's Pulwama district, police said here.

Militants tonight snatched two SLR rifles from policemen guarding the minority picket in Tumlahaal village in Lassipora area of Pulwama, a police official said.

The official said a departmental inquiry would also be ordered to ascertain the details of the incident.

Amid conflict, residents of border village hope for peace

On the other hand, forced to abandon their houses, standing crops and cattle after shelling by the Pakistani Army, the residents of the once-sleepy border village of Hamirpur still hold out hope for peace between the two nations so that they can return to their home one day.

Entering the village, one is greeted by locked doors and empty households, but more tellingly, by an overwhelming sense of dread that the blast of a shell could shatter the fragile silence at any moment.

"First take shelter behind this wall before we talk. We never know when a shell from across the line of control could land here and injure or even kill us," says 42-year-old Tarsem Lal, who has been assigned the job of feeding the cattle that have been left behind.

The village, situated at a stone's throw from the Line of Control, has been deserted by its inhabitants, some of whom have migrated to Jammu. Most though, have landed up at safe houses set up by the administration.

Those living in the migrant camp assign the job of feeding the cattle by turns to two men, who come here every morning risking their lives.

Lal, accompanied by fellow villager Kulbir Singh (54), says people want peace to return, so that they can return to their homes.

"Who wants to stay away from a house which is constructed with so much hard work. It is our bad luck that whenever there is tension between the two countries we have to abandon everything and migrate from our houses," Singh says.

While the government has made arrangements for their stay in the safe camps and gives them meals, none have been made for providing fodder to the cattle.

(With Agency inputs)