IED is the Valleyâ€™s latest nightmare

SRINAGAR, AUGUST 13: The deadliest of weapons used by the militants to create havoc in the Valley is the improvised explosive devices (IED...

SRINAGAR, AUGUST 13: The deadliest of weapons used by the militants to create havoc in the Valley is the improvised explosive devices (IED). Since January 1, militants have detonated 65 IEDs, killing over 100 persons.

The security forces admit that there are several experts in IEDs among the militants. They said by resorting to IEDs, militants are trying bog down the counter-insurgency operations in defence and curtail their frequent movement. Any casual move means death for them, whether it is in the most sanitised Residency Road in Srinagar or the rural areas swarming with Jehadis.

The IEDs have also become a major threat for politicians after militants targeted a minister of the Farooq Abdullah government, Ghulam Hassan Bhat, with a powerful IED at Mandipora in Anantnag.

Story continues below this ad

After Bhat’s killing, the state government had decided to purchase jammers for its ministers to protect them from IED attacks. However, it did notmaterialise, mainly due to lack of funds. Abdullah is the only personto have jammer facility to protect him.

The major IED blasts this year are:

* The first IED blast of this year was carried out at Sabzi Mandi, Batamalooon January 3, killing 17 persons. No one claimed responsibility.
* On February 17, militants detonated an IED at Sumbal, killing ChiefCommander of Ikhwan, Fayaz Nabdi and three others persons. Hizbul claimedresponsibility.
* The next day, 11 security personnel and one civilian were killedwhen militants activated an IED at Kahleel Tral. Hizbul claimed responsibility.
* On May 15, Minister of State for Power, Ghulam Hassan Bhat and five others were killed at Mandipora, Anantnag. Hizbul claimed responsibility.
* On June 2, 15 persons were killed when an IED went off at the compound ofImambara Gund Qasim in Pattan when a religious function headed by Shialeader and former minister Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari was going on. Hizbul claimed responsibility but later denied involvement.
* On August 10, 15 persons were killed on Residency Road in Srinagar. Hizbul and Lashkar-e-Toiba claimed responsibility.

‘Bangladeshis’ and ‘ghuspaithiyas’: BJP MP Brij Lal stops five sanitation workers on road in to quiz them on video

‘Bangladeshis’, ‘ghuspaithiyas’: On camera, BJP MP quizzes 5 sanitation workers

Cities2 hr ago

BJP MP and former UP DGP Brij Lal has sparked controversy with a video accusing five sanitation workers in Lucknow's Gomti Nagar Extension of being Bangladeshi infiltrators. Lal, a former IPS officer, claims to know how terrorism works and alleges that these workers are a threat to the nation. He appeals to CM Yogi Adityanath to deport them and claims they have fake identities.

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS