Srinagar, Apr 8 : A major tragedy was averted last night, when the police recovered a powerful EID (Improvised Explosive Device) planted by militants in an open field near the railway track in Jammu and Kashmir''s Anantnag District.

Local police officials informed on Wednesday that the explosive device, weighing 25 kgs, was planted by militants at Bijbehara, 45 kilometres from Srinagar.

The police promptly defused the device before it could cause any harm.

The elections in Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency are to be held on April 30.

With the snow on the mountain passes melting away at this point of the year, the infiltration attempts by the militants increase.

However, according to the security forces, the infiltration bids have begun quite early this year, with March itself recording several gunbattles along the border.

The forces also told that the pattern of infiltration is different as compared to the previous years.

Earlier, the militants used to sneak on this side of the border in smaller batches. However, this year, the Army had to encounter them in larger groups of 20-30. (ANI)