Arms seized in Baramulla: Turkish pistol, Chinese gun recovered in J&K op
Synopsis
A routine vehicle check at a Baramulla checkpoint snowballed into a two-day arms recovery operation, yielding a Turkish CANIK pistol and a Chinese-made gun with 13 live rounds. The presence of two foreign-manufactured firearms in a single case raises serious questions about the supply chain feeding unlawful weapons into Kashmir.
Key Takeaways
Baramulla police and 52 Rashtriya Rifles jointly recovered illegal arms over Sunday–Monday in Baramulla, J&K .
A Turkish-made CANIK TP9SF METE (9×19 mm) pistol was seized from a vehicle intercepted at Chandsuma, Kanispora .
A follow-up search at Kalsi Hardu, Kamalkot yielded a Chinese-made pistol , two magazines , and 13 live rounds .
Accused Wakeel Ahmed Theekri , resident of Kamalkot, Uri , was arrested; the driver was not charged.
70/2026 under Sections 7/25 of the Arms Act registered at Police Station Baramulla .
Investigation is ongoing to trace the weapons' source and identify other suspects in what police describe as a larger unlawful arms network.
Baramulla police, in a joint operation with the 52 Rashtriya Rifles, recovered two illegal foreign-made pistols, two magazines, and 13 live rounds of ammunition in Baramulla district, Jammu and Kashmir, over the course of Sunday and Monday, officials said. The breakthrough came after a routine vehicle check escalated into a multi-location arms recovery operation that investigators say points to a larger unlawful weapons network.
How the Operation Unfolded
The first recovery was made at a Mobile Vehicle Checking Point (MVCP) established at Chandsuma, Kanispora, near the FCI Godown on Sunday. A white car bearing registration number JK02DN-6527, travelling from Srinagar towards Baramulla, was intercepted during routine checking. The vehicle carried two occupants.
A thorough search of the car led to the discovery of a CANIK TP9SF METE (9×19 mm) pistol — manufactured in Turkey — concealed in a bag belonging to the co-passenger. The individual failed to produce any valid licence or legal authorisation for the weapon.
Accused Identified, Second Cache Found
The co-passenger was identified as Wakeel Ahmed Theekri, son of Noor-ud-Din Theekri, a resident of Kamalkot, Uri. The driver claimed no knowledge of the weapon and preliminary inquiry supported that account, according to investigators.
Following the arrest, and acting on information provided by Theekri, Baramulla police on Monday conducted a search operation at Kalsi Hardu, Kamalkot, in the presence of an Executive Magistrate, the local Lambardar, and a chowkidar. The search yielded a Chinese-made pistol, two magazines, and 13 live rounds of ammunition, all subsequently seized as evidence.
Legal Action and FIR
FIR No. 70/2026 under Sections 7/25 of the Arms Act has been registered at Police Station Baramulla. Both the Turkish and Chinese-made pistols, along with the ammunition, have been seized. Investigators are working to establish the source of the weapons, their intended use, and whether additional individuals are part of the network.
Broader Security Context
The recovery of foreign-manufactured firearms — one Turkish, one Chinese — in a single case is notable. Such weapons do not enter J&K through routine civilian channels, and their presence typically signals cross-border smuggling routes or organised procurement networks, according to security analysts familiar with the region. This comes amid continued counter-insurgency operations across the Kashmir Valley. Baramulla police stated it remains committed to maintaining public safety and will act firmly against all unlawful activities threatening security and public order.
Investigation is ongoing to identify any other persons involved and to trace the full supply chain behind the recovered arms.
Point of View
One Chinese pistol, recovered from a single accused in Baramulla. Foreign-made firearms of these origins do not arrive in J&K through legal channels, which suggests either a cross-border smuggling pipeline or a procurement network with reach beyond the Valley. Mainstream coverage will focus on the arrest; the harder question is how these weapons travelled from their countries of manufacture to a bag in a white car on the Srinagar-Baramulla highway. The investigation's ability to trace that chain — not just the end-holder — will determine whether this is a genuine network disruption or a tactical seizure that leaves the supply line intact.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What arms were recovered in the Baramulla operation?
Police recovered a Turkish-made CANIK TP9SF METE (9×19 mm) pistol from a vehicle checkpoint and, subsequently, a Chinese-made pistol, two magazines, and 13 live rounds from a location in Kamalkot, Uri. Both recoveries are linked to the same accused, Wakeel Ahmed Theekri.
Who was arrested in the Baramulla arms case?
Wakeel Ahmed Theekri, son of Noor-ud-Din Theekri and a resident of Kamalkot, Uri, was arrested after the Turkish pistol was found in his bag during a vehicle check at Chandsuma, Kanispora. The driver of the vehicle was not charged, as preliminary inquiry supported his claim of having no knowledge of the weapon.
What legal action has been taken?
FIR No. 70/2026 under Sections 7/25 of the Arms Act has been registered at Police Station Baramulla. All recovered weapons and ammunition have been seized as evidence, and investigation is underway.
Why is the recovery of foreign-made pistols significant?
The presence of Turkish and Chinese-manufactured firearms in J&K indicates they did not enter through legal civilian channels. Security analysts say such weapons typically point to cross-border smuggling routes or organised procurement networks, making the tracing of their supply chain a key investigative priority.
What happens next in the investigation?
Baramulla police are working to determine the source of the weapons, their intended use, and whether other individuals are part of the network. The second cache was found based on information provided by the arrested accused, suggesting investigators believe the network may extend further.
