Army’s de-mining experts in Maoist jungles soon

NEW DELHI: The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is likely to discuss the option of drafting dedicated de-mining experts from the Army — popularly knows as Sappers — to clear Maoist-infested jungles of IEDs and landmines.

This will help the state police and Central forces to operate in heavily-mined jungles of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa, Maharasthra and West Bengal without risking casualties on account of landmine blasts.

Defence minister A K Antony had on Sunday told mediapersons in Pune, “we are examining all pros and cons of the involvement of Army in anti-Naxal operations and once a decision is taken, it will be binding on the Army. The armed forces will accept the decision taken by the government and implement it with vigour.”

Mr Antony met service chiefs to discuss the possibility of Army’s involvement in aiding the fight against Naxalism. He had earlier asked the central command to prepare a blue-print in this regard.

A senior official in the security establishment told ET that Sappers, have professional expertise and sophisticated equipment to locate and defuse IEDs and landmines, some of which may have been planted almost 10 years back. Since Sapper units having little role to play in peace time, they can be spared for clearing mines in Naxal-hit areas ahead of major operations by the police and central forces.

Sappers have de-mining equipment that can locate not only metal IEDs but also plastic mines. “Central forces have no such de-mining personnel men or gadgets to clear the jungles of IEDs and landmines...this has been impeding anti-Naxal operations...by bringing in Sappers, we will enable the forces to effectively access and bust the Naxalite hideouts,” a senior official of the security establishment told ET.

CCS will also discuss MHA’s proposal for a bigger fleet of choppers to facilitate quicker movement of troops for intelligence-based strikes. The home ministry will seek more funds under the Security-Related Expenditure scheme to help states improve the policing infrastructure in Naxal-hit districts.