US-Made M4 Carbine Recovered From Killed Terrorists: Here’s How Pakistan is Arming J&K Militants

Police are also investigating how the rifle made its way to the hands of the terrorist in Kashmir.

New Delhi, Nov 8: Three terrorists were killed in an encounter with security forces on Monday in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama. In this attack was killed Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar’s nephew Talha Rasheed and JeM Divisional Chief. However, the most shocking revelation in this encounter was that the terrorists were armed  with US-made M4 Carbine assault rifles and it clearly indicates Pakistan’s role in arming the militants.

Apart from a M4 carbine rifle, two AK-47 rifles were also recovered from the slain terrorists.

What is an M4-Carbine Assault Rifle?

Actually named M16A2 assault rifle, M4 is a air-cooled, direct impingement gas-operated, magazine-fed carbine. It is also capable of mounting grenade launchers and comes with a telescoping stock.

The first model was made in 1984 and was tested in 1985. Reportedly, due to its lighter weight and compact length enabling addressing of modern combat situations, in 2015 major Marine Corps commands endorsed switching to M4 over the M16A4.

The M4 can fire at a rate of 750-900 rounds per minute depending upon the barrel temperature and ambient conditions. Its shots travel at a rate of 910 m/s and it has an effective range of 500 metres.

What is an AK-47?

Developed in the Soviet Union after the Second World War, AK-47 is majorly popular among terrorists for its easy availability and compact designs. Since the first design in 1945, it has evolved and its variants have been used widely across the globe. Mikhail Kalashnikov originally designed the rifle.

AK-47 is a gas-operated rifle which can fire 600 rounds in a minute.

Noteworthy that M4 carbines were largely used by the US forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. Police are also investigating how the rifle made its way to the hands of the terrorist in Kashmir.