Major Search Operation in J&K’s Doda Leads to Recovery of Rifle and Ammunition from Forest Hideout

Doda | December 08, 2025 A major security breakthrough was reported in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district after the Special Operation Group (SOG) of the J&K Police uncovered a hidden cache of arms during a coordinated search on Sunday. Acting on precise intelligence inputs, the police team launched an operation deep inside the Bhalara Forest area, which comes under the jurisdiction of Police Station Thathri. The operation was carried out under the supervision of SSP Doda, Sandeep Mehta. Police teams combed through the dense forest patch, eventually locating a concealed site containing an SLR rifle, two magazines, and 22 live rounds. Officials said that this recovery is a significant step toward strengthening the security grid and eliminating the possibility of these weapons being used by anti-national or criminal elements. Police officials noted that every such recovery helps prevent potential threats and reinforces ongoing efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region. They added that the operation highlights the commitment of the Jammu & Kashmir Police toward keeping district Doda safe through constant vigilance and timely actions. An investigation is underway to trace the origins of the recovered rifle and identify the individuals or groups who may have hidden it in the forested area. Authorities are examining whether the cache is linked to older militant networks or attempts by new groups to re-establish a presence. This recovery comes weeks after a series of coordinated raids in Shopian district in November, where police searched multiple locations linked to members of the banned organisation Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI). That operation was part of wider efforts to track activities connected to organisations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). JeI has been banned several times, with the latest ban extended in 2024 due to alleged separatist links and associations with militant groups. Jamaat-e-Islami, founded in 1941 by Syed Abul A'la Maududi, split into separate branches after the partition of India. Its Jammu and Kashmir unit has faced repeated scrutiny over the years for activities flagged as unlawful by security agencies. With the latest arms recovery in Doda, security forces say they remain focused on preventing any attempt by anti-national groups to regroup or revive their network. Patrols and search operations have been intensified in vulnerable areas, and officials maintain that more such actions will continue as part of an ongoing effort to ensure safety and stability across the region. Major Search Operation in J&K’s Doda Leads to Recovery of Rifle and Ammunition from Forest Hideout A major security push in Jammu & Kashmir's Doda district has brought an important breakthrough. During a focused search operation inside the dense Bhalara Forest, the SOG team of J&K Police discovered a hidden arms stash—an SLR rifle, two magazines, and 22 live rounds. The operation was based on solid intel and carried out under the supervision of SSP Doda, Sandeep Mehta, with police teams navigating the thick forest terrain to locate the concealed spot. This recovery may look small on paper, but on the ground, it plays a big role in keeping the district safer. Every weapon found means one less threat that could end up in the wrong hands. Officials say this adds strength to the ongoing efforts to disrupt illegal networks and ensure that no anti-national group gets a fresh foothold in the region. The search operation also reflects the police force’s consistent commitment to stability and peace in the area. An investigation is already underway to understand how the rifle ended up there and who might have placed it. Authorities are checking if the cache is linked to older militant routes or new attempts to revive hidden networks. This comes shortly after the police conducted major raids in Shopian in November, targeting locations connected to members of the banned organisation Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), which remains banned under UAPA. JeI, founded in 1941 by Abul A’la Maududi, has had its J&K wing under watch for years due to alleged links with separatist groups. With this new recovery, officials say intensified patrols and searches will continue. The goal remains simple—keep the region safe, block any resurgence of unlawful activities, and maintain peace for local communities.