Turkish-made pistol recovered in Baramulla: Police

Srinagar, June 09: Police have busted an illegal arms possession case in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, recovering a foreign-made pistol and subsequently unearthing an additional cache of weapons and ammunition during follow-up investigations.

According to a police statement, issued today, the recovery was made during a joint operation by Baramulla Police and the 52 Rashtriya Rifles at a Mobile Vehicle Checking Point (MVCP) established at Chandsuma, Kanispora, near the FCI Godown on June 7.

During the checking operation, a white Maruti Brezza (JK02DN-6527) travelling from Srinagar towards Baramulla was intercepted. On searching the vehicle, security personnel recovered a Turkey-manufactured CANIK TP9SF METE pistol (9×19 mm) from a bag carried by one of the occupants.

The accused was identified as Wakeel Ahmad Theekri, son of Noor-ud-Din Theekri, a resident of Kamalkot, Uri. Police said the accused failed to produce any valid licence or authorisation for possession of the weapon.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the driver of the vehicle was merely providing a lift to the accused and claimed to have no knowledge of the weapon.

Following the recovery, Police Station Baramulla registered FIR No. 70/2026 under Sections 7/25 of the Arms Act and launched an investigation to ascertain the source and intended use of the weapon.

Acting on leads developed during the investigation, police conducted a search operation on June 8 at Kalsi Hardu in Kamalkot, Uri, at the instance of the arrested accused. The search was carried out in the presence of an Executive Magistrate, the local Lambardar and Chowkidar.

During the operation, police recovered another pistol of Chinese origin, two magazines and 13 live rounds of ammunition, all of which were seized as evidence.

Police described the latest recovery as a significant breakthrough, indicating the possible existence of a larger illegal arms network in the region.