BRIEFS: IAF airlifts 576 passengers between J&K, Ladakh

Srinagar: A total of 576 passengers were airlifted today by the Indian Air Force between J&K and Ladakh, said officials.

An official spokesperson said the IL-76 aircraft transported 455 passengers from Srinagar and Jammu to Leh in two sorties, while the AN-32 Kargil Courier airlifted 71 passengers, including 53 from Srinagar to Kargil and 18 from Kargil to Srinagar.

Meanwhile, Commander of the Border Roads Organisation’s (BRO) Project Vijayak and other officials visited the Zojila Axis on Srinagar- Kargil Highway to inspect snow clearance operations along the Zojila stretch.

During the visit, officials conducted an on-ground assessment of the progress and challenges faced by BRO personnel and machinery, said officials. The civil administration submitted that the number of snow clearance machines be increased so that the National Highway shall open early, said a statement. In response, Project Vijayak Commander directed local officials to deploy more machinery to accelerate the process. Officials said as of now, the road has been cleared up to Shaitani Nallah.

IED detected in Shopian

Srinagar: Security forces on Tuesday averted a tragedy with the timely detection of an improvised explosive device (IED) in Shopian district, officials said. A patrol party noticed a suspicious object by the roadside at Habdipora in Shopian district, which turned out to be an IED. A bomb disposal squad has been rushed to the spot to defuse the explosive, the officials said.

Security forces defused a similar device in Kulgam district on Monday. — PTI

Cops recover old grenade

Jammu: Security forces recovered an old and rusted grenade in Rajouri district on Tuesday, officials said. The locals were cleaning a pond in the Dharamshal area when they discovered the old rusted grenade, they said. Police promptly responded to the information and took custody of the grenade. The incident averted a potential tragedy, they said. — PTI