The army today called upon the state government to speed up the process of notifying the lease of Kalith field firing range so that jawans could resume practice.
"In 2004, the lease was granted for one decade. The notification ended in June this year. We have requested both the state and the central government for the renewal of the notification," said Brigadier RS Bhadauria in a press conference.
He added, "If we do not continue with the firing practices, it will affect our preparedness in the eventuality of fighting counter-insurgencies."
Kalith Field Firing Range, located in Akhnoor sub division, has been used by the Army since 1970 for firing of infantry and artillery weapon systems.
"These ranges came to us in 1970 and since then we have practiced training, using all sorts of ammunitions. Out of eleven now three sectors are left now from where we launch firing. The area which used to be about 99,000 acres has ceased to even less than 8000 acres," Brig. Bhadauria added.
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India Army under White Knight Corps has launched "Mission Hum Safar", a cleanup drive at "Kalith Field Firing Ranges" to sanitize the ranges from unexploded explosives and shells.
The mission commenced on August 5 this year and will continue till the entire range area is sanitized. Kalith Field Firing Range is a notified range and is located in Akhnoor sub division of Jammu District.
During the mission, the Indian Army is carrying out the physical search of the impact area of the ranges, using explosive detector dogs, remotely operated vehicles, mine prodders, deep search metal detectors and bomb disposal teams. So far, it has carried out the search of 80% of the impact area of 'W' Sector (Artillery Range) and 75% of the area of 'X' Sector (Mortar and Demolition Range).
The efforts put in by the Army is yielding positive results, as seen by the encouraging response displayed by the locals of the area, who are participating and showing up in large numbers to attend the specially organised interactive sessions.
The initiative shown by the Army is expected to not only restore the flora and fauna of the area, but help the locals and their livestock to move unhindered and in a fearless manner. The Army has been taking special care of the local sentiments and needs by strictly adhering to Range Closure period where in no firing of any nature is permitted to be carried out during Holidays, Sowing/Harvesting period and school examinations.
