Army begins clearance of explosives from Tosa Maidan firing range

Mir Iqbal

TOSA MAIDAN (BUDGAM), Aug 1: Army today started clearance of Tosa Maidan firing range in Central Kashmir district of Budgam of any unexploded or other dangerous objects to avoid loss of lives or injuries of civilians in future.
Srinagar based Chinar Corps Commander, Lt General Subrata Saha, told media persons that the area continues to be the firing range for Army, BSF, CRPF and Air Force from last 50 years. So, keeping this in consideration that some people lost their lives after coming in contact with unexploded shells, the Army has decided to clear the area within three months to avoid damage in the future.
He said the Army was saddened by the incident on July 17th this year, in the range area, resulting in the death of a local youth identified as Bilal Ahmed Parray. “To prevent such incidents in future, Chinar Corps took upon itself to clear the area of Tosha maidan Field Firing Range area using a combination of manual and technologically advanced techniques for the purpose,” he said.
“Unexploded bombs cause damage to lives. We have decided to clean the periphery area first followed by surrounding area,” he said, adding, under the Mission ‘Falah’- a humanitarian initiative of Chinar Corps to clear areas in and around picturesque Tosa Maidan of explosive material, the Army will continue its initiative till the area is cleared.
Chinar Corps Commander said the army will take some important steps including providing medical assistance, veterinary camps for the people, organizing sports activities and tree plantation be carried out in collaboration with the people and associated organizations in the area.
Apart from other initiatives Army is sensitizing the locals residing around the field firing ranges not to venture into the area for safety reasons during the process of clearance and not to handle any suspicious material themselves.
Lt General Subrata Saha when asked that people of the area demand shifting of firing range, he said Government has ordered a high level committee to decide whether there was scope for firing ranges or not. “Government has to consider whether Army has to leave the place or not,” he said.
He added: “Government has ordered a committee in which all the possible stack holders have been taken into board, who will take a decision for the betterment of the people and security of the nation.”

Follow our WhatsApp channel