Militant killed, major tragedy averted in J and K

Srinagar, Mar 3 (UNI) Security forces averted a major tragedy on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway when they detected and later defused a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted near Qazigund today.

Security forces also gunned down a militant in an encounter at Poonch last night, an official spokesman said today.

He said a Road Opening Party (ROP) during a routine checking of the highway found the IED planted by militants at Neepora near Qazigund, to target security force vehicles.

The area was immediately sealed and traffic suspended on the highway. A bomb disposal squad was summoned and the IED was defused without causing any damage.

Later, security forces intensified checking of vehicle on the highway.

UNI BAS RL PM1812