Two terror associates arrested in Pulwama, J&K; pistol and grenade seized
Synopsis
A joint Army-CRPF Cordon and Search Operation in Pulwama's Yarwan forest caught two terror associates red-handed with a pistol, 12 rounds, and a hand grenade on 25 August. With a UAPA case now registered and investigators tracing the weapons' source, the operation signals continued pressure on terror supply networks in one of J&K's most sensitive districts.
Key Takeaways
Security forces arrested two terror associates — Latif Ahmad Deedad and Aejaz Ahmad Bajad — in Pulwama, J&K on 25 August 2026 .
A joint CASO by 44 Rashtriya Rifles (Army) and 183 Battalion CRPF was conducted in the Yarwan forest area, Rajpora .
Recovered items: one pistol , 12 rounds of ammunition , and one hand grenade .
118/2026 registered under the Arms Act and UAPA at Police Station Rajpora.
Investigation is ongoing to trace the source of arms and identify further terror linkages.
Security forces arrested two terror associates in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, recovering a pistol, 12 rounds of ammunition, and a hand grenade during a joint Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in the Yarwan forest area of CB Nath, Rajpora. The operation marks a significant counter-terror success in one of the valley's most sensitive districts.
How the Operation Unfolded
Acting on coordinated security inputs, a joint team comprising 44 Rashtriya Rifles (Army) and 183 Battalion CRPF launched the CASO in the Yarwan forest area. Alert personnel noticed two individuals emerging from the forest toward CB Nath village in a suspicious manner and swiftly moved in to apprehend them.
'Acting on coordinated security inputs, a Cordon and Search Operation was launched in the general Yarwan forest area. During the operation, the joint teams noticed two individuals emerging from the forest towards CB Nath village in a suspicious manner. The alert teams swiftly moved in and apprehended both individuals,' an officer said.
Who Was Arrested
The two apprehended individuals have been identified as Latif Ahmad Deedad, son of Gh. Mohammad Deedad, a resident of Lassi Daban; and Aejaz Ahmad Bajad, son of Nazir Ahmad Bajad, a resident of Bun Kha Bamnoo. Both, along with the recovered arms and ammunition, have been taken into custody.
Legal Action Initiated
FIR No. 118/2026 has been registered at Police Station Rajpora under Sections 7/25 of the Arms Act and Sections 13, 18, 23 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Investigators are probing their activities, establishing the source of the recovered weapons, and identifying further linkages within terror networks.
Significance for Pulwama Security
Pulwama has remained a high-alert zone for security forces following a series of terror-related incidents over recent years. This is the latest in a sustained series of CASO operations conducted across the district aimed at dismantling terror supply chains. Officials described the recovery as a significant operational success in ongoing efforts to disrupt terror networks and safeguard the Union Territory. Further investigation is underway.
Point of View
A forest CASO, and recovery of a weapons cache before it reaches an active operative. What the FIR does not yet answer — and what investigators must establish — is where this pistol and grenade originated and how far up the supply chain these two associates sit. Pulwama's geography makes it a persistent transit corridor for arms, and single-node arrests, while operationally valuable, only degrade a network if the source is traced and cut. The UAPA registration raises the investigative stakes; the real test is whether it leads to actionable intelligence on handlers beyond the two in custody.
NationPress
25 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the two terror associates arrested in Pulwama?
The two individuals arrested are Latif Ahmad Deedad , a resident of Lassi Daban, and Aejaz Ahmad Bajad , a resident of Bun Kha Bamnoo, both in Pulwama district. They were apprehended on 25 August 2026 during a joint Army-CRPF operation in the Yarwan forest area.
What arms and ammunition were recovered during the Pulwama operation?
Security forces recovered one pistol, 12 pistol rounds, and one hand grenade from the possession of the two arrested individuals. The weapons were seized during the Cordon and Search Operation in the Yarwan forest area of CB Nath, Rajpora.
Which security forces conducted the Pulwama CASO?
The operation was a joint effort by 44 Rashtriya Rifles (Army) and 183 Battalion CRPF , acting on coordinated security inputs. The CASO was launched in the general Yarwan forest area of Rajpora, Pulwama.
What legal case has been registered against the arrested individuals?
FIR No. 118/2026 has been registered at Police Station Rajpora under Sections 7/25 of the Arms Act and Sections 13, 18, 23 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Both accused are in custody and under investigation.
What is the current status of the investigation?
Investigators are working to ascertain the activities of the arrested individuals, establish the source of the recovered arms and ammunition, and identify further linkages within terror networks. The case is being pursued under UAPA, which allows for extended custody and broader investigative powers.
