Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Feb 14: Assigned with huge and tough task of guarding entire Line of Control (LoC) and carrying out anti-militancy operations in Jammu and Kashmir, the Army has been facing herculean task of training its several thousands of jawans posted in the State in the absence of firing ranges as previous NC-Congress coalition Government had failed to extend lease period of two major firing ranges.
Official sources told the Excelsior that after the previous Government didn’t extend lease period of Tosa Maidan and Kaleeth firing ranges, Army now has been left with no other options but to send its jawans to Babina firing range in Madhya Pradesh and Mahajan and Pokhran firing ranges in Rajasthan, which would not only consume lot of time of the troops but would also keep the Army personnel away from anti-militancy operations and LoC duty for a longer period.
“It has become a typical situation for the troops, who have been working under extremely tough circumstances sacrificing their everything including lives, to work on the LoC and other areas as part of counter-militancy duty without advanced training and practice,’’ sources said.
Pointing out that a number of artillery units were deployed in Jammu and Kashmir, sources said their weapons and ammunition would be rusted in the absence of practice and advanced training as there were no major firing ranges left with the Army for training after the previous Government refused to extend lease period of Tosa Maidan firing range in Kashmir and Kaleeth firing range in Akhnoor, Jammu.
“If we send our jawans for practice, which we have to do in the absence of extension of lease period, to Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, it will not only consume lot of time for the training but also thin out presence of the troops from the LoC and general areas for a longer period,’’ sources said, adding earlier the troops used to practice for few days at Tosa Maidan and Kaleeth firing ranges and then return to original place of postings.
However, sources said, with troops out for practice in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, their presence would be thinned not only on the LoC but in the militancy-infested areas, which the Army didn’t want in view of heavy presence of militants across the LoC, who wanted to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir at any cost. Moreover, there were some areas in the State, where there was strong presence of the militants, where presence of the troops was must.
Asserting that it was major concern for Indian Army (the lapse of lease period of firing ranges), sources disclosed that the Army has already taken the issue at the highest level at the Centre but since it falls within the domain of the State Government, it would be pursuing the issue whenever the new Government is formed.
According to sources, Army is confident that the new Government in Jammu and Kashmir would take up the issues of Army seriously and address the issue of firing ranges so that the troops can go ahead for practice within the State, which was essential part of their duty without disturbing presence of the troops in the militancy infested State.
Sources said the Army would be left with no other options but to send its troops for training in three firing ranges at Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan if the new firing ranges were not provided to it or lease period of Tosa Maidan and Kaleeth firing ranges was not extended.
They added that the new State Government in which the BJP would be a partner can take call on the issue.
Follow our WhatsApp channel