Pulwama-style terror attack averted by Indian Army with recovery of 52 kg of explosives near J&K highway

A Pulwama-like terror attack has been after averted 52 kg of explosives was found near Jammu and Kashmir highway, Army said on Thursday. The explosives were found at a site that is very close to the one where a major terror attack took place in 2019 in which over 40 Indian Army personnel were martyred.

In a statement, the Indian Army said 52 kilograms of explosives were found in a Syntex tank during a joint search operation at Karewa. A total of 416 packets of explosives with 125 gm in each were found, army said. Searching the area further, the army found 50 detonators in another tank.

Acting on a tip-off about the presence of terrorists of proscribed terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed, the police along with the Army and CRPF conducted a joint search of a nursery area near forests of village Gadikhal in Awantipora.

During search of the forest area, two explosive dumps were found which were concealed underground in two



different 250 litre plastic tanks.

"In one plastic tank, 416 high-explosive gelatine sticks have been recovered while in another plastic tank, 50 detonators were recovered. The detonators were destroyed by the Bomb Disposal Squad on the spot, due to their risk of carrying/transporting," police said.

Police said by virtue of this recovery, security forces have been able to avert a major terror attack by means of explosive substances.

The spot is close to Lethpora in Pulwama on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway where 40 CRPF jawans were killed in a suicide attack in February 2019. Police have registered an FIR and started an investigation.

The development has come at a time when the Indian Army is witnessing stand-off situation with China at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) following repeated provocations from Chinese soldiers and their nefarious attempts to unilaterally change the status quo at the border.