A “major tragedy” was averted when sniffer dogs detected two powerful roadside bombs planted by suspected rebels near an Indian army headquarters in Indian-held Kashmir, an official said. “The bombs were detected by our dog squad early today (Tuesday) near Sonawar” and defused, army spokesman AK Mathur said. The bombs were planted on a road close to the army headquarters in Srinagar, summer capital of Indian-held Kashmir, where a separatist revolt has been raging against New Delhi’s rule since 1989. “The road is the major link between Srinagar and other southern towns, and had the bombs gone off they would have created havoc,” Mathur said. “We have averted a major tragedy.”
Hundreds of civilian and military vehicles travel along the high-security road. The area also houses the regionÂ’s main childrenÂ’s hospital, several top banks, and government and private offices.