The Jammu and Kashmir police on Friday morning seized a car laden with 300 kg of RDX, the biggest haul ever, in Doda district.
On receiving intelligence reports regarding possible suicide attacks by militants targeting VVIPs and vital installations during the Navratri festival, police had launched a major search operation with special teams fanning the entire district, the official said.
Around 0300 IST, a team came across an explosive-laden white ambassador car parked near the Doda district hospital, an official told PTI.
Bomb disposal squads were called and nearly 300kg of RDX, packed in pressure cookers and four large cement bags, were recovered.
The seized car had a fake number plate - DEC 4404 - and had been redesigned for use in a suicide attack or a car bomb explosion. "There is a possibility that militants wanted to target people (in public places) on the eve of the Navratri festival to cause major casualties," the official said.
Two suspects have been arrested.