Srinagar: Security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir seized a spyglass after a six-year-old boy found the device in a garbage dump and mistook it for a toy, officials said on Tuesday.
The incident occurred in a residential area when the child picked up the object while playing near a waste collection site. Family members later noticed the unusual device and alerted local authorities, who informed security forces.
On examination, officials found the object to be a Chinese-made telescope, commonly referred to as a spyglass. Preliminary assessment suggested the device could be used for long-distance surveillance. It has since been seized and sent for detailed forensic and technical analysis.
Security officials said they are investigating how the telescope ended up in the area and whether it was linked to any militant or anti-national activity. “At this stage, it is too early to draw conclusions. We are verifying its origin, purpose, and possible users,” an official said.
The area was briefly cordoned off as a precaution, and no explosives or other suspicious materials were found nearby. Authorities have questioned local residents and reviewed CCTV footage from nearby locations as part of the probe.
Officials also praised the alertness of the family for promptly informing authorities, noting that unattended objects in sensitive regions pose potential security risks.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns over surveillance equipment and suspicious materials being found in civilian areas of Jammu and Kashmir. Investigations are ongoing
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