Security forces on Thursday detected and defused an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on the strategic Srinagar-Jammu national highway, officials said.

Police said a patrol party of the security forces detected a powerful IED ' title=' IED '>IED on the highway at Charsoo in south Kashmir's Pulwama district.

"The IED ' title=' IED '>IED planted by militants was successfully defused thereby averting a major tragedy on the busy highway", a police officer said.