Security forces averted a major disaster by detecting and neutralizing three ready-to-use improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the border district of Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, on Wednesday, officials reported.
The discovery of these IEDs, concealed within steel containers weighing between 3 to 20 kilograms, occurred during a joint search operation conducted by the police, CRPF, and Rashtriya Rifles in the forest area of Sanai-Gursai within the Mendhar sub-division.
This operation, hailed as a “major breakthrough,” took place in anticipation of potential threats during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
After uncovering the IEDs, the bomb disposal squad promptly neutralized them through controlled explosions, effectively thwarting the terrorists’ plans to carry out explosions in the Union Territory.
CRPF officials provided details of the operation, stating, “We received intelligence about a likely hideout and suspicious movement in the upper Sanai at 4 am and subsequently launched a joint ‘search and destroy’ operation with the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police and Rashtriya Rifles. Three IEDs, ranging in weight from 3 to 20 kgs and equipped with dual initiation mechanisms, were recovered and destroyed.”
Serving as the second-in-command within the 246th battalion, emphasized that the seizure of the IEDs prevented a potential attack during the election period. “This is election time, and terrorists are always looking for opportunities to disrupt elections by carrying out sensational acts,” he informed reporters at the scene.
The successful operation concluded with the safe disposal of the seized IEDs, and no arrests were made during the operation, officials confirmed.This proactive action underscores the vigilance and determined efforts of security forces to combat terrorism and ensure the safety and security of the region.