Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 7: As part of its humanistic approach towards people residing in the border villages, Army has undertaken a major clean up drive from in Kalith Field Firing Ranges in Akhnoor.
During the mission, the Army will carry out physical search of the complete area and any unexploded artillery shells and mortar blinds will be collected and destroyed. The Army will also educate the locals regarding safety aspects to be borne in mind during the conduct of firing in the range during the said mission.
Kalith Field Firing Range (KFFR) which is clearly marked into separate zones for artillery, mortar and small arms firing is located close to the Line of Control where many units of the Northern Command carry out regular field firing.
With establishment of KFFR Cell at Station Headquarters, Pallanwalla in July 2011, the ranges have been safe and incident free and no civilian casualties have been reported to have occurred inside the range area.
KFFR Cell has taken active measures to closely coordinate and monitor all range activity and sensitise the civilian population of the risk involved in event of venturing in the ranges during artillery and mortar firing thereby ensuring their safety and security.
In a concerted drive to get rid of any unexploded shells and mortar blinds, the Army under Crossed Swords Division will carry out a major combing operation in the ranges over a number of days to make the area totally safe for movement by civilians and their livestock.
The Army will employ mine and explosive detector dogs and engineer personnel specially trained for such tasks equipped with gadgetry and other technical devices.
It may be noted that the locals have been in the favour of re-notification of the Kalith Field Firing Ranges and the case is presently with the State Government for consideration.
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