20 Kg IED destroyed along Handwara-Bla highway

Srinagar, Oct 19: Security forces on Wednesday averted a major tragedy by detecting and destroying a 20-kilogram improvised explosive device (IED) along the Handwara-Baramulla road in north Kashmir.
Army’s Public Relations Officer (Defence) Col Emron Musavi said based on spotting of a suspicious object with wires astride NH-701 near Langate at about 05.45 am on Wednesday.
“Search parties of the Army and JKP were immediately deployed and the area was cordoned by the security forces. Explosive Detection Canines of Army were deployed, who positively confirmed the presence of explosives,” he said.
The spokesman said Army’s bomb disposal squad was rushed into the location to neutralise the IED.
“The bomb disposal squad destroyed the estimated 20 kg IED in situ without any collateral damage,” he said.
The Handwara-Baramulla highway is an important road for civil traffic as well as for the Army and CAPF convoys.
“Security forces with their swift operation have averted a major terror plot by timely neutralisation of the IED,” the spokesman said.
The traffic which was halted on the highway for initial hours was resumed at about 10.00 AM after the area was thoroughly sanitized.
Earlier on 15th October, security forces averted a major tragedy by detecting and destroying18-kilogram IED in Bandipora.