Indian military defuses two bombs planted by militants in Indian-controlled Kashmir

Indian military Monday said it has detected and subsequently defused two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by militants in Indian- controlled Kashmir.

The IEDs were detected at two different locations north of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Today two pressure cooker based IEDs each weighing 5 kg were recovered at Mundzi area of Sopore and Mazham area of Zainakot," a military spokesman said. "The IEDs were defused following their detection to prevent any damage."

Reports said following the detection of the explosives, bomb disposal squads rushed to the spots and defused the IED without causing any harm.

According to the military spokesman, the detection of IEDs beforehand was carried out on intelligence inputs, thereby averting major tragedy.

During the past one week in the region, around eight militants were killed by troops in three different gunfights, while as militants shot dead an Indian policeman, Indian military has warned of attacks ahead of the U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to India.

Obama is scheduled to visit India capital New Delhi on Jan. 26 as the chief guest on India's republic day celebrations and ceremonial parade.

Militant groups are engaged in guerilla war with Indian troops in the region since 1989.

Gunfight between the two sides takes place intermittently.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir. Endi