4 militants arrested, major tragedy averted, hideout busted in J

Srinagar, Mar 30 (UNI) Security forces arrested four militants, including two belonging to Hizbul Mujahideen, averted a major tragedy and busted a hideout in the Jammu and Kashmir overnight.

A report from Baramulla said troops today foiled a major tragedy when they detected and defused a power Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by militants on the highway to target convoy and other security force vehicles.

Official sources said a Road Opening Party (ROP) of the troops noticed an abandoned box on the roadside at Tehsil Bagh on Srinagar- Uri highway this morning.

The area was immediately cordoned off and traffic stopped from both sides.

Later, Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) was summoned and the IED in the box was defused without causing any damage.

An official spokesman said Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested two militants belonging to Hizbul Mujahideen at Ganderbal, Kulgam in south Kashmir last evening.

Two more militants were apprehended by the security forces at Haddal Bhatoli under police station Gandoh Doda district of Jammu region alongwith two Self Loading Rifles (SLR's), two magazines and one wireless set.

Security forces during a search operation at Frisal Yaripora in Kulgam district of south Kashmir busted a militant hideout and recovered one AK rifle, three magazines, two hand grenades and a wireless set last evening.

Security forces also recovered five Chinese hand grenades, one AK magazine and 26 rounds of ammunition during a search operation at Rajdhani in Rajouri district of Jammu region.

UNI BAS AKJ AS1809