Tuesday, April 5 2005 12:24 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: Two days ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh flagging off the inaugural Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service, security forces today (Apr 5, 2005) recovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Pattan area along the bus route in Jammu and Kashmir, official sources said.

The 20-kg IED, planted in a tin can by the roadside, was detected by a patrol party of Border Security Force (BSF) at Palhalan, 30 km from Srinagar, in Baramulla district, they said.

More reports coming in reveal that seven persons were injured in another IED explosion. Two powerful explosive devices were recovered along the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, two days ahead of the maiden run of the bus to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The IED planted near a passenger shed at Hanjiveera in Pattan area of the district, exploded around 11:30 hrs (IST) injuring three persons waiting for a bus, official sources said in Srinagar.

The blast and recoveries come two days ahead of the flagging off by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of the first Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus.

On Saturday (Apr 2, 2005) BSF had recovered 117 kg explosives from Arampora-Sopore, off the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road.