Firing small and big arms is integral to training given to soldiers to make them combat fit. Sites for training in firing are selected very carefully by the joint teams of civil and army administration. Actually, there are two types of Field Firing Ranges, acquired and notified. Acquired firing ranges are those that are directly in the control of the army and can be used at any time convenient to the army. Notified Field Firing Ranges are those for the use of which local people/administration have to be consulted. These require re-notification after the sanctioned period of five years expires. Notified FFRs in J&K are close to the border and in proximity of civilian habitats. Obtaining re-notification is a somewhat complicated and time consuming process. These FFRs are generally in forest ranges. Permission to use these ranges has to be obtained from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. That takes its own time.
Out of a total of 51 Field Firing Ranges in the country, 12 are in J&K. Army has considerable presence in the State owing to two and a half decades of militancy and infiltration bids by the Pakistani actors. The army is engaged in fighting a proxy war with Pakistan in Kashmir. In view of intensification of infiltration bids and open announcement of Pakistan-based jihadi organizations that they have the agenda of engaging Indian army in Kashmir on long term basis as part of international jihad, the army has to be ready in battle fitness and regular training of the jawans including firing has to be conducted as number one security measure. Most of the 10 Field Firing Ranges in J&K have either exhausted the time limit of notification or are in the process of completing the term. Therefore these need re-notification for another term of five or ten years whatever. The previous Government had declined to give re-notification certificate in the case of Tosa Maidan FFR in Kashmir and Kaleeth FFR in Akhnoor in Jammu. That Government had shown its unwillingness to issue re-notification in the case of the FFRs whose time had expired or would be about to reach expiry date.
Now all this causes numerous problems for the army. Commanders are reported to have made a strong case for presentation to the State Government that the FFRs be re-notified. In absence of FFRs within the State, the army is obliged to send the jawans and officers for training in the firing of heavy weapons like big guns to other FFRs in the country in Madhya Pradesh or Rajasthan. Absence of a large number of jawans from field duty is not advisable as far as the security of the State of Jammu and Kashmir is concerned.
We are very unhappy that the previous Government had not cooperated with the army in something that directly affects the people of the State, meaning their safety and security. The army is in the State to ensure its security and stability. Army jawans posted in the State are performing their duty under very difficult conditions. They are braving harsh and inclement weather conditions. They are fighting or conducting surveillance of mountainous regions clad with snow and dangerous to move about. And they make sacrifices of their precious lives. The local Governments need to keep all these aspects in mind when it is taking any decision on a matter that is crucial to the army. The State Government has to cooperate with the army and extend as much of cooperation as is possible. It is true that Field Firing Ranges in notified areas are not much liked by the local civilian population as it causes them some disturbance and especially the livestock is adversely affected. But nations make sacrifices where critical security concerns are involved. In fact, the initiative should have come from the civilian Government in the State for re-notification of ten FFRs and the army should have been relieved from the hassles of running from pillar to post to obtain re-notification.
We hope that this issue will be resolved amicably in the next meeting of the Civil Military Liaison Conference (CMLC). It is closely connected with the security of the State and its people. The Army does not want to be the source of the least disturbance to civilian life. But it has compulsions caused by the proxy war unleashed by our detractors.
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