Security forces have recovered more dangerous weapons during multiple operations conducted after a series of terror attacks in the Jammu region, officials reported on Monday.
Many of these weapons were previously used by Taliban terrorists or abandoned by American soldiers before they departed from Afghanistan, according to officials.
Security officials noted that the pattern of weapon recoveries indicates these arms are now being smuggled into Kashmir through Pakistan. Among these weapons are lethal US-made M4 carbine assault rifles, capable of firing 700-970 steel bullets per minute.
These steel bullets are more capable of piercing vehicle bodies than copper bullets. The M4’s effective firing range is 500-600 meters, with a maximum range of 3,600 meters.
Officials further stated that despite ongoing anti-terror operations, the recovery of M4 carbines from terrorists continues, as they are currently using either AK-47 rifles or M4 carbines.
They also mentioned that the first attack on army vehicles last month involved the use of an M4 carbine.
Sources within the security establishment in Jammu & Kashmir confirmed that the M4 carbine was first used in 2017 when security forces killed Talha Rashid Masood, the nephew of Jaish chief Masood Azhar, in Pulwama. Recently, the weapon has been used in terrorist attacks in Kathua, Reasi, and Doda.
Intelligence reports have revealed that two significant meetings took place in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) in recent months, according to sources. “One meeting was convened by the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander at the Pak Army Camp Tejin in PoK, while the other was led by Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) leader Abdul Rauf. It was decided during these meetings to send as many weapons as possible to Kashmir,” an intelligence source stated, adding that over two dozen American-made M4 carbines were sent to the region.
The M4 Carbine Assault Rifle, developed by an American company in the 1980s, is still widely used by NATO forces. Security experts believe that M4 rifles, used by the Pakistani army, are being supplied to terrorists.
The M4 is a lightweight, gas-operated, air-cooled, magazine-fed weapon. With over 500,000 units produced since 1987, the rifle is available in numerous variants, according to sources.
Intelligence sources also reported that the Pakistan Army and ISI have activated 15 new terrorist camps and more than 24 launching pads in PoK over the past month.
Despite the ongoing ceasefire along the border, Pakistan’s agencies are actively trying to push terrorists across the Line of Control (LoC). These terrorists are being kept in bunkers to avoid detection by the Indian Army, allowing them to hide and remain there for days before infiltrating, the sources added.
