State wants boundaries of Kangra firing range redefined

“There is a need to have a re-look at the existing boundaries of the firing range,which need to be modified in future,” said the CM.

He said the police were conducting an inquiry into the incident. Once the findings are out,the government will approach the Army and the Centre with the issue.

According to preliminary investigations,the explosion occurred when the children were trying to extract the metal out of the live mortar shells. It is not clear yet whether the three strayed into the firing range and obtained the six shells,of which three exploded,or they found them somewhere else.

The police are trying to find out as to which unit of the Army was issued the ammunition that exploded. From December to February,at least ten firing drills were carried out here by III Grenadiers,29 Infantry,

Rajasthan Rifles,12 Grenadiers and other battalions of the Border Security Force.

Though the armed forces inform the local police and village heads before carrying out any firing drill,the deputy commissioner of Kangra said the information invariably did not reach him on time. “The DC has also talked of negligence of the forces in collection of the unexploded ammunition,” said Dhumal.

Replying to a call-attention motion in the house,the CM ruled out any foul play in the incident.