The security forces on Saturday morning defused an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), which was detected on Bandipora-Sopore road, thereby averting a major tragedy on the highly trafficked road, officials said.

An official told that security forces including Army’s 26-Aasam rifles and J&K police detected an IED kept in two small gas cylinder in Ashtangoo area on Bandipora-Sopore road early Saturday morning following which Bomb disposal squad was called in.

He futher said that the IED weighing nearly 16 kg was successfully defused without causing any damage while the traffic has been restored on the road.

Meanwhile, the police said they have started an investigation into the matter.