J&K Militants using solar missiles

The J&K police recovered two solar missiles in Kupwara on Tuesday. Sunlight was to have triggered the missiles that were tied to a tree and aimed at a strategic set-up of the security forces.

“The missiles were recovered from the Gujjar Basti forest near Lolab village in North Kashmir and a major strike was averted,” said Farooq Ahmad, IG Kashmir Range.

Ahmad said the recovery could be the first of its kind in the state. These missiles are self-charging and need no human assistance to trigger. A solar panel fitted on each missile traps sunrays and converts it into thermal energy to propel it.

“This is a highly sophisticated weapon, and possessing them adds teeth to the firepower of the militants here,” said a senior police officer.

According to Kupwara SP Yusuf Mir, “Each of these missiles is 3-4 feet long, just 4 kg in weight and has a range of 4 km. The make is either Russian or Chinese.

Security analysts here believe the militants could be relying on solar-powered missiles to avoid battling the security forces. The militants have of late been taking a lot of hits.