Bid to target Amarnath pilgrims foiled in J

Srinagar, June 30 (UNI) Troops today averted a major tragedy when they detected a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by suspected militants on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway near Banihal in a bid to target the Amarnath pilgrims, official sources said.

They said the troops detected the IED at 0920 shortly before a convoy of Amarnath pilgrims was to pass through the area.

The traffic on the highway was stopped for some time as the troops conducted thorough search of the area, the sources added.

A bomb disposal squad later defused the IED and the traffic was restored on the national highway.

UNI AG MSJ GC1539