Major terror incident thwarted, say officials
Srinagar, Dec 9, 2024: A major tragedy was averted today when security forces detected and defused an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on the Srinagar-Baramulla Highway in Jammu and Kashmir. The device was discovered in the Palhallan area, leading to an immediate suspension of traffic on the busy route.
Officials confirmed that the timely detection of the IED prevented a possible disaster. A bomb disposal squad was dispatched to safely defuse the device, and traffic on the highway was later restored. The operation was carried out by teams from the 29 Rashtriya Rifles, Sashastra Seema Bal, and the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Terrorists in the region have been using remote-triggered or pressure-activated IEDs to target security force convoys and VIP cavalcades on highways. These devices are also used in attempts to instill fear among the general public. In response, security forces conduct regular Road Opening Party (ROP) operations, deploying electronic devices and sniffer dogs to ensure safe passage for traffic.
This incident comes amid rising terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly after the successful conduct of the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly elections earlier this year. Security forces believe that terrorists, under the influence of their handlers across the border, are ramping up attacks to instill fear in the region.
In response, Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, has ordered an aggressive anti-terror campaign targeting terrorists, their Over Ground Workers (OGWs), and sympathizers to dismantle the terror ecosystem in the Union Territory.
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