The recovery was made when security forces were patrolling Batagund and its adjoining areas following a tip-off that militants were planning to move some weapons to Handwara town of Kupwara district ahead of Independence Day, a defence spokesman said.
"The patrol at Batagund noticed an individual moving suspiciously. On being challenged, the individual ran towards the village and jumped into the vegetation," the spokesman said.
He said the area was swiftly cordoned by the troops and during search a bag containing five pistols were recovered, along with eleven magazines and 80 rounds of pistol ammunition.