MENDHAR, May 21, 2026 : Security forces recovered a bag containing arms and suspected narcotics near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu & Kashmir’s Poonch district during a search operation in the forward areas of Mendhar sector, officials said.
According to officials, the recovery was made on Tuesday evening in the Balakote forward area when an area domination patrol party conducting routine surveillance near the LoC discovered a suspicious bag buried near a tree.
Security personnel immediately sanitised the area to rule out the presence of any Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) or other explosive threats before initiating the recovery operation.
Officials said the recovered material included a Chinese-origin pistol along with several packets suspected to contain narcotic substances.
One of the recovered bags reportedly had the word “Lahore” written on it, raising suspicion about possible cross-border smuggling or infiltration links.
The recovery has prompted further investigation by security agencies to determine the origin, intended recipients and possible network behind the consignment.
The operation forms part of intensified surveillance and anti-smuggling measures being carried out along the Line of Control amid ongoing concerns over infiltration attempts, arms smuggling and narcotics trafficking in border areas.
