Major tragedy averted by cops
Traffic, civilian movement halted for some time
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 20: A two-kg Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was found planted by terrorists near Dul Hasti power project in Kishtwar district this evening triggering alarming bells among security agencies for some time before it was seized and taken to an abandoned area where it was safely defused.
A major tragedy has been averted with timely detection and recovery of the explosive device, the officials said.
“On a specific information given by the Intelligence agencies, a joint team of police and security forces along with a Bomb disposal Squad rushed to the spot this evening and cordoned off the area,” the officials said, adding it was ensured that there was no movement of civilians and traffic in the area.
The project staff was also alerted and asked to stay inside.
The sniffer dogs were pressed into service. Later, the Bomb Disposal Squad reached the spot and shifted the IED to an abandoned area for defusing it safely.
SSP Kishtwar Khalil Poswal, however, said a suspected device has been recovered and is being examined.
The IED was subsequently defused by the experts, thus averting a possible terror attack in the hilly district, the officials said, adding the device had been planted outside Dul Hasti power project and was capable of causing extensive damage if not recovered and defused on time.
Traffic on Doda-Kishtwar National Highway remained suspended for some time till the IED was defused safely.
Officials said a case has been registered in connection with recovery of the explosive device and a hunt was launched to apprehend the terrorists responsible for planting the IED. However, no arrests have been made so far.
During past some time, police have made constant pressure on the militants and their sympathisers in Kishtwar district and arrested a number of them along with consignments of arms, ammunition and explosives.
However, some Over Ground Workers (OGWs) are still active in some parts of the district.