JAMMU, July 18 : In a significant development, security officials have raised alarms over the arrival of American-manufactured weapons, including M4 carbine assault rifles, into Jammu and Kashmir, possibly sourced through Afghanistan and Pakistan. This revelation poses a grave challenge for security forces already grappling with intensified terrorist activities in the region.
Recent encounters with terrorists in various districts, including Doda, Poonch, and Rajouri, have exposed the use of sophisticated weaponry, notably the American M4 carbines. Security agencies suspect these weapons, originally left behind by the US military following its withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, have found their way into the hands of terrorists targeting civilians and security personnel.
Official data underscores a notable year-on-year increase in the recovery of such advanced firearms, including AK-series rifles, since 2021. Last week, terrorists wielding M4 carbines carried out an attack near Badnoti in the Billawar area of Kathua district, marking a disturbing trend of escalating weapon sophistication among militant groups.
Authorities have also linked past attacks, such as the one in Poonch last year resulting in the loss of five RR jawans, to weapons and logistics believed to have originated from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Investigations indicated that ammunition used in these attacks may have been sourced from leftover US military stocks.
The gravity of the situation was further underscored by a significant arms seizure in December 2022 in the Jammu region, where authorities recovered seven AK-47 rifles, one M4 carbine, three pistols, and grenades intended for use by terrorists planning attacks on security forces.
In response to these escalating threats, Director General of Police RR Swain reaffirmed the resolve of Jammu and Kashmir Police, vowing unified action against terrorism. “Every single policeman of J&K Police will fight shoulder to shoulder and avenge; we will ensure the enemies pay a heavy price,” he stated in an interview with a national news channel.
As security forces intensify efforts to neutralize terror networks and secure vulnerable areas, the influx of advanced weaponry presents a formidable challenge, requiring enhanced vigilance and coordinated efforts to safeguard civilian lives and maintain peace in the region.
