Srinagar: A tragedy was averted with the defusal of an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by militants in Maisuma area of Srinagar, official sources said today (Dec 31, 2003).

The IED, planted on the bund of River Jhelum, was detected by a police patrol party last night and defused by the bomb disposal squad, the sources said.

There are several Government and security installations in the area where the IED was defused, including Kashmir headquarter of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), Maisuma police station, fire brigade and Kothibagh Girls Higher Secondary School, the sources said. Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) headquarters is also located in the area.

Yesterday, militants exploded an IED at Lawaypora in the outskirts of Srinagar, injuring dozens of Army jawans and three civilians.