CASUALTIES OF JAWANS DUE TO EXPLOSIONS OF IED

Rajya Sabha

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The figures of Jawans who have died or have sustained injuries as a result of mine explosions or explosion of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) are not maintained on a state-wise basis. However, as per available records the Army Headquarters has informed that 61 Army personnel were killed and 159 were wounded due to mine accidents and IED explosions during the last 6 months (October 01, 2001 to March 31, 2002).

Initial high-level inquiries revealed that the mine laying operations were carried out in adverse climatic and terrain conditions like night laying, fog etc. Due to such constraints certain accidents could possibly be ascribed to human error. In certain cases, mines and fuzes held in inventory for a long period, did not perform satisfactorily. The Government have initiated steps to ensure that new mines and fuzes are introduced to replace the old inventories.

This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written reply to Shri Bachani Lekhraj in Rajya Sabha today.