Panel to examine gear used by forces

New Delhi: Taking serious note of the major Naxal attack in Sukma on Wednesday in which nine CRPF personnel were killed, the home ministry will soon constitute a committee of experts that will examine the equipment being used by security forces, particularly the mine protected vehicles (MPVs) and armoured vehicles, in anti-Maoist operations.

Naxals had blown up the MPV  in which the CRPF personnel were travelling in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma region during a combing operation. Sources said there was considerable concern among the security establishment as to how the casualties were so high particularly when the security personnel were in the MPV.

“The MPVs being used by security forces in Naxal  infested areas have been designed in such a manner that they can withstand the impact of 50kg of IED. But it seems that in the Sukma incident the quantity of explosive used was between 10-15 kg. So we need to examine what was the reason why the casualties were so high as initial examination has revealed that the internal shell of the MPV was absolutely intact,” a senior security official said.

The expert committee to be formed by the Home Ministry will carry a detailed audit of all arms and ammunitions being used by security forces in dealing with the Naxal menace and suggest as to how these can be improved further or how these can be upgraded further. Sources claimed the committee will also assess the need for deploying more technology like radars and drones, some of which are already being used, to further reduce the rate of human casualty.