A major IED attack on the Srinagar-Kupwara Highway near Handwara was averted on Friday. According to the news agency ANI, a high-powered IED connected with three 10-kilogram LPG cylinders was spotted by an alert road opening party near Langait. The terrorists had planted this IED on the Kupwara-Srinagar national highway. Approximately 1,000 civilian vehicles and 200 military vehicles had passed through the location where the explosive was planted. The explosive device was detected by the column of an Air Defence Unit present in the area.
Security forces detonate 3 suspicious gas cylinders
Earlier in the day, the security forces detonated three suspicious gas cylinders found in Ganapora village of Kralgund in north Kashmir's Kupwara district. The suspicious cylinders were detonated in a controlled manner by the Army's road opening party (ROP) in collaboration with the 30 Rashtriya Rifles (30RR) and Handwara Police.
Subsequent probe and examination of the cylinders revealed that contained urea, a non-lethal substance. There were no injuries or reports of damage to life or property during this incident, it added.
Army operation against terrorists continues
It is noteworthy that the Indian Army continues its campaign against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, conducting operations to target and eliminate terrorists. Prior to this incident, in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, two Indian Army officers, Colonel Manpreet Singh and Major Ashish Dhond, were killed during an encounter with terrorists. Deputy Superintendent of Police Humayun Bhatt of the Jammu and Kashmir Police also lost his life in the same encounter.
Following this attack, the Indian Army launched a counterinsurgency operation and surrounded several terrorists in the jungle areas. The Army engaged in a multi-day encounter with the terrorists, resulting in the martyrdom of another soldier. After several days of encounter, the Army was able to corner the terrorists. It's worth noting that the responsibility for this attack was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), believed to be associated with the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, a terrorist organization known for its involvement in several terrorist activities.
