Our Correspondent
Kathua, September 23

Soldiers of the Territorial Army today recovered about 40 kg of gunpowder from Dewal village in Billawar subdivision of the district.

The gunpowder was recovered from a house. The owner of the house was not at home at the time of the search and recovery. The Army, however, has detained his wife for questioning.

According to sources, Army jawans cordoned off the house of Khalil Ahmed in Dewal village and after searching the house recovered about 40 kg of gunpowder.

Khalil Ahmed originally belongs to Kindley village of Macheddi tehsil but presently residing in Dewal village, where he has constructed a new house.

Sources said Khalil Ahmed was a contractor and had been providing labour to industries outside the state.

The recovery of a huge amount of gunpowder has raised many questions with the Army looking at various angels.

A Defence spokesperson said, “We had specific information about the explosive and after that we searched the house of Khalil Ahmed and found two bags of 20 kg each full of gunpowder. The owner of the house, Khalil Ahmed, was not found in the house and his wife has been detained for questioning.”

Governor briefed on security situation

Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, Northern Command chief, met Governor Satya Pal Malik here on Monday. He briefed the Governor about the overall security situation in the forward areas and hinterland of J&K and Ladakh and the anti-terrorist operations being conducted by the Army. The Governor called for continuing the current civil-police-Army collaboration and synergy in combating anti-terrorist activities. TNS