MUZAFFARABAD: Police in Kotli district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) arrested five suspects and seized liquor, unlicensed weapons, and ammunition-some of which had been snatched from police personnel last year-an official said on Saturday.

According to Naar Station House Officer (SHO) Nauman Fazil, police raided the house of Muhammad Yasin in Gora Trappa village following reports of his involvement in drug dealing.

During the initial search, officials recovered 10 bottles of liquor, leading to the registration of a case under Sections 3 and 4 of The Prohibition (Enforcement of Hadd) Order, 1979, and Section 34 of the Azad Penal Code (APC).

During interrogation, Yasin disclosed information that led to the arrest of his accomplicesLugman alias Mani, Adnan, his sibling Faizan, and Muhammad Ansar alias Bashi.

The subsequent search resulted in the recovery of 200 more bottles of liquor, a 12-bore rifle, and ammunition that had been snatched from police personnel on May 11, 2024.

This included two gas guns, three hand grenades, four grenade pins, two covers of used shells, and one tear gas box, all of which had been concealed in the backyard of Yasin`s house.

Following the fresh recovery, police added section 15(2) of the Arms Act and section 511 of the APC to the FIR, the SHO said. Staff Correspondent