Which of the following are the main components of an IED ?

Which of the following are the main components of an IED ?

Weapons, explosives, dangerous articles, dangerous substances
Ignition, incendiary material mechanism
Explosives, switch mechanism and battery / power source
Explosives, detonator, switch mechanism and battery / power source
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2018
An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) typically consists of four main components:
1. **Explosives:** The main charge that causes the damage (e.g., dynamite, C4, homemade explosives).
2. **Detonator (or Initiator):** A small charge or device used to initiate the main explosive charge. This is often the most sensitive part.
3. **Switch Mechanism:** The device that triggers the detonator. This can be a simple switch, a timer, a remote control, a pressure plate, etc.
4. **Battery / Power Source:** Provides the energy needed to activate the switch and detonator.
Option D lists these four essential components of a typical IED.
The four core components of an IED are the explosive material, the detonator, the trigger mechanism, and the power source.
IEDs are characterized by their improvised nature, meaning they are constructed from non-standard military components. While the four main components are common, the materials and construction methods can vary widely, making them challenging to detect and counter. Other components might be added, such as fragmentation material (nails, ball bearings), but these are additions to the core explosive train.