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Police Defuse IED Near Kashmir Tourist Spot

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, June 30: Police Thursday claimed to have detected and defused 1.5 kg Improvised Explosive Device (IED) near the world famous Dal Lake in Indian administered Kashmir.

"1.5 kg IED was found in a tin container near Hotel Heemal, Boulevard Road after the hotel staff informed police about an unattended bag," a top police officer said.

He also said experts of bomb squad were rushed to spot to neutralize the IED. "The experts neutralized the explosive device without causing any loss of life or damage to property," he said.

Another police official said the IED was placed inside a steel container by suspected militants near a wine shop outside Hotel Heemal along Boulevard road. "Had the device not been detected and defused, it could have caused a massive damage to life and property. Dal Lake is abuzz with tourists and a big tragedy was averted by the timely detection of the explosive device," the police official said.

No militant outfit has claimed the responsibility of planting the IED.

Meanwhile, a police officer was injured in a militant attack at Nagnigard Keshwan in the mountainous Kishtwar region of Kashmir.

"The militants lobbed a hand grenade towards the police post and afterwards fired from automatic weapons towards the policemen deployed in the post. The policemen also retaliated and the exchange of fire continued for some time. A police officer sustained splinter injuries in the militant attack. He has been hospitalized," a police officer said

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.