Eleven Bhutanese soldiers were killed and several others injured today in an explosion while they were disposing of old ammunition.
The incident occurred near the Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) centre in Haa at 10 am. Eight soldiers of the Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) were killed instantly and three more died later at the nearby IMTRAT hospital, national television reported.
Five soldiers in a critical condition were flown in helicopters from Haa to the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital in Thimphu.
The dead and injured were members of the bomb disposal squad of the RBA.
The IMTRAT centre at Haa was set up in 1960. Two years later, India set up the Wangchuk Lo Dzong Military School at the centre to train personnel of the RBA and Royal Bodyguards.
