Srinagar, Dec 25 (UNI) Alert troops thwarted militant plans to cause disturbances during Republic Day and also target security forces in north Kashmir when they unearthed a hideout and recovered warlike stores in the border town of Uri.

A defence spokesman said troops launched a search operation in village Sheri, Uri, about 100 km from here yesterday afternoon following intelligence input that militants had dumped arms and ammunition there.

It was only after a long search that troops finally unearthed a hideout and recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition.

The recovery included two AK rifles, 1084 AK ammunition, seven AK magazines, four pistols, five pistol magazines, 32 pistol ammunition, two UBGL, 57 UBGL grenades, one disposal RL, 40 hand grenades, seven anti-tank mines, five anti tank grenades, four improvised explosive devices, three improvised explosive device charge, nine detonator, one binocular, four Kgs explosives, three rocket propelled grenade shells and three radio sets.

He said the arms and ammunition was to be distributed among the militants operating in north Kashmir to cause disturbance during the Republic Day functions and also target security forces and politicians.

However, no one was arrested.

UNI BAS AB ND1258