Poonch terror hideout busted, tiffin-box IEDs seized

JAMMU: Security forces have busted a hideout of suspected terrorists in Surankote area of J&K’s Poonch, seizing IEDs made from tiffin boxes and steel buckets, wireless equipment and other items.

“During a routine patrol, a joint team of Army, Special Operations Group (SOG) and police busted terrorists’ hideout in Suranthal forest area of Marhote in Surankote tehsil late Sunday evening,” an official said.

Five ready-to-use IEDs (two planted inside steel buckets, three in tiffin boxes), two wireless sets, five packets containing urea, one five-litre gas cylinder, one binocular, three woolen caps, three blankets, trousers and utensils were found in the hideout. “All IEDs, weighing between half-a-kg and five kg, were destroyed in a controlled explosion on the spot,” the official said.

He added that the bust had foiled the nefarious designs of the terrorists even as more searches were on in the area.

Terrorists in J&K use IEDs to target forces and inflict massive damage. On Feb 12 this year, two soldiers, including a Captain, were killed and another injured when an IED triggered by suspected terrorists exploded near the LoC in Akhnoor sector of Jammu district.

Later, on March 23 this year, forces had busted a terrorist hideout in remote forests of Sarabara near Sangla top area of Poonch. Seizures included three AK Rifles, 23 magazines, 922 rounds, seven grenades, four IEDs, a timer and 19 detonators.

Earlier, on Nov 29, 2024, troops had come across two IEDs and over 1kg of suspected RDX, a battery, two blankets and some eatables during a search in Mendhar area of Poonch district.