Suspected IED recovered outside PCR in Srinagar

SRINAGAR: Minutes before a crucial security meeting here, police today detected a suspected Improvised Explosive Device ( IED) outside the Police Control Room.

A plastic can containing a nine-volt battery, a programmed Timer Device (PTD) and some black powdery substance, was found by a police patrol just outside the PCR complex near Batamaloo here, officials said.

A bomb disposal squad has been rushed to the spot to defuse the explosive material which is estimated to weigh 1.5 kilogram, they said.

Inspector General of Police Kashmir S M Sahai said the matter is being investigated and it is not yet clear if the suspected object was an IED.

The recovery comes minutes ahead of crucial security meeting to finalise the arrangements for the bi-annual durbar move under which the capital of Jammu and Kashmir shifts from Srinagar to Jammu for six months of winter.

Senior police and other security officials were to attend the meeting, which was scheduled to begin at 11.00 AM.