Srinagar, February 16: An Army major was martyred in an IED blast at Nowshera sector in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday. The Major-rank army officer was defusing an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) which had been planted by terrorists. The officer is from the Corps of Engineers, news agency ANI reported.

The incident comes two days after one of the deadliest terror strikes on security forces in the Valley in three decades that killed 40 security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama. A terrorist of Pakistan-based outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad, identified as Adil Ahmed Dar, rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a bus they were travelling in. Pulwama Terrorist Attack: MHA Issues Advisory For Safety of Kashmiri People Living in Other States.

The attack has left the security establishment stunned as it created the biggest casualty of security personnel in a single day in peacetime. The convoy of 78 buses, in which around 2500 CRPF personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar, came under attack at around 3.15 pm at Ladhu Modi Lethpora. Pakistan-based JeM has claimed responsibility for the attack. Pulwama Terror Attack: JeM Terrorist Used 80 Kg RDX, Blast Tossed a Body 80 Metres Away.

A day after the attack, the Centre announced the withdrawal of 'Most Favoured Nation' (MFN) status granted to Pakistan. As many as 48 countries have extended support to India, condemning the dastardly act.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 16, 2019 05:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).