First time in 20 years, solar missiles recovered in J&K

June 03, 2010 01:35 pm | Updated 01:36 pm IST - Srinagar

For the first time in 20 years, police have recovered two solar-activated missiles, capable of hitting their target within four kilometers, in Kupwara district, police said on Thursday.

The recovery was made on Tuesday near Lolab, 120 kms from here, where the missiles were fitted on a tree in the forest to target a nearby security installation, a police spokesman said.

He said it is for the first time in 20 years that solar missiles have been recovered in the valley.

The weapon weighs about 4 kg, which is even lighter than an AK 47 rifle, and is about four feet in length, he said.

Terming the solar-activated missile as a highly sophisticated weapon, the spokesman said militants can plant it, fix the range of the target and flee from the spot.

“The missile gets activated by sunlight to hit the target. It is four feet long and can hit the target within 3 to 4 km radius,” he said.

He said the missiles recovered bear imprints in Chinese and Russian languages, suggesting the countries of their manufacture.

Police suspect Lashkar-e-Taiba militants led by their Commander Abdullah Uni had fitted these missiles in the area, he said, adding investigations are on.

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