Attack averted, 5-kg IED defused in Pulwama

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 23

Averting a major terror incident in J&K, security forces have seized 5-kg improvised explosive device (IED) in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, officials said.

The IED was found by a joint team of security forces along the Newa-Srinagar road in Wanpora area. The explosive device was later defused.

2 Lashkar aides held

• Two overground workers of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) have been arrested in Budgam district, the police said.
• Mohammad Shafi Ganai and Zahoor Ahmad Chopan allegedly provided logistics and shelter to militants.

“Acting on a specific intelligence input that terrorists had planted an IED, a search operation was launched jointly by the Pulwama police, 50 RR and CRPF’s 183 Battalion. During the search, an explosive device was found planted on the roadside,” a senior J&K police official said, adding that the explosive material weighed approximately 5 kg. It had been assembled in a container.

Soon after the recovery, a bomb disposal team from the police, along with Army personnel, destroyed it on the spot through controlled detonation, the official said. “With the timely action, a major tragedy was averted,” he said, adding that a case had been registered and a few suspects taken for questioning.

The IED was found a day after militants shot dead a police officer and a civilian in two separate attacks in the Kashmir Valley.

Meanwhile, security forces arrested two overground workers of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) in Budgam district, the police said. “Acting on specific inputs, a team of the police, the Army and the CRPF apprehended Mohammad Shafi Ganai and Zahoor Ahmad Chopan from Magam area of Budgam,” a police spokesman said.

Incriminating materials were seized from them. During preliminary investigation, it was revealed that the arrested persons were in touch with LeT commanders and involved in providing logistics, shelter as well as transportation to the terrorists, he said.

An FIR has been registered at Khag police station and further investigation is under process, the spokesperson added. (With PTI inputs)