Kathua: In a recent incident, the Kathua Police received information about a suspicious polythene packet found in the village of Panj Grain Muthi Charu, Tehsil Hiranagar. The Border Police Post (BPP) Sherpur alerted the Hiranagar Police Station regarding the discovery.
An official told News Agency Kashmir Scroll, Acting quickly, the Special Operations Group (SOG) team, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DYSP) OPS Kathua, reached the scene.
He said the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Border and the Station House Officer (SHO) PS Hiranagar also arrived to support the investigation.
Upon examination, it was revealed that the polythene packet contained Gun Powder, commonly used by farmers to protect their crops from wild animals.
The official further told News Agency Kashmir Scroll that to ensure the safety of the area, the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) Kathua was called to verify the contents.
He said the BDS team confirmed that the gunpowder was indeed meant for agricultural purposes.
The official said following proper disposal procedures, the team safely disposed of the gunpowder on-site.
Local residents corroborated the authenticity of the substance, stating that it is frequently used by farmers as a means of safeguarding their crops against wildlife.
He said Kathua Police, after thorough investigation, dismissed the possibility of infiltration or the dropping of high-density explosives from across the border. However, the investigation is still underway to gather more information surrounding the incident, the official further added.