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Indian Soldiers Recover IED in Pakistani Newspaper

By Fayaz Wani

For the first time in the 19 year old turmoil in Kashmir, Indian para-military soldiers recovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) wrapped in a Pakistani leading newspaper from the world famous Boulevard Road in the summer capital this evening.

A para-military CRPF spokesperson told Newsblaze, that at around 1800 hours, the para-military personnel while conducting routine patrolling in the Boulevard area along the banks of world famous Dal Lake detected an IED planted inside a building in the area.

The IED was wrapped in a Pakistani leading newspaper, The Dawn. "It was the February, 2007 issue of the Pakistani newspaper", he said.

After detection of the IED, weighing around 1 kilogram, the people from the building and adjoining building were evacuated to safer places and experts from the bomb disposal squad were rushed to the spot. After nearly half an hour's intense efforts, the bomb disposal squad neutralized the device, without causing any loss of life or damage to property.

Hundreds of people including foreign and Indian tourists visit Boulevard Road daily in the evening to enjoy the Dal waters in twilight. "The timely detection of the IED averted a major tragedy and saved many precious lives", the Indian para-military officer added.

He said that after the recovery of the explosive device, security apparatus in the Kashmir Valley especially in the summer capital, Srinagar has been further beefed up.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.