Srinagar, Publish Date: Nov 7 2017
A US-made M4 carbine was recovered from the Jaish-e-Muhammad militants killed in a gunfight with government forces in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district last night.
Addressing a joint press conference in Srinagar, police, army and the CRPF said the recovery of the rifle shows the complicity between JeM and Pakistan.
“This US-made M4 carbine is presently with a lot of armies with the NATO. This is used by the special forces of the Pakistan army,” said Major General BS Raju, General officer commanding (GOC) of the Victor Force, adding: “so we have a reason to believe that this weapon was given by Pakistan army to JeM cadres.”
Three militants and a soldier were killed in the gunfight that began around 6pm in Kandi Aglar village.
The militants were identified as Talha Rasheed, nephew of JeM chief Masood Azhar; Mehmood Bhai, divisional commander of the outfit and Waseem Ahmad Ganai of Drabgam Pulwama.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Muneer Ahmad Khan said they will “thoroughly investigate” how this weapon landed into the hands of this Jaish group.
He said the matter will also be taken up with concerned embassies.
“How it (M4 carbine) came into the hands of this group, the matter will have to be taken up through different channels with concerned embassies. It is a subject matter of thorough investigation now,” he said.
