A major tragedy was averted today when security forces defused a 40kg improvised explosive device (IED) cleverly hidden along a key road in Khunti district of Jharkhand.
The road was to be used by political workers for participating in an event in the poll-bound state.
The recovery of the huge bomb was made at about 11 AM by a road opening party of paramilitary CRPF alongwith state police units which were deployed to sanitise the Naxal affected area between Khunti and Ulihatu village.
"The track was to be used by many people including political workers and leaders as an event was scheduled in Ulihatu village to celebrate the birth anniversary of revolutionary leader Birsa Munda. The day is also celebrated as Jharkhand's establishment day after it was culled from Bihar in year 2000," a senior officer said.
"The IED was dug inside dry earth and had it had been trigerred it could have brought fatal injuries to those trapped," they said.
Jharkhand is set to have a five-phase poll begining November 25.
