“If you ever come across anything suspicious like this item, please do not pick it up, contact your local law and/or enforcement agency for assistance”.
In April 2023, an explosion near the newly built astroturf near the Kargil airport killed an 8-year-old boy and injured two of his compatriots. The object that exploded seemed like an old piece of metal scrap that the boys happened to unknowingly play with. Another similar incident occurred in a scrap dealer’s shop in Kargil in August 2023. Three individuals died and 11 others sustained injuries following the explosion by a “suspicious” object amidst the scrap. Incidents like these are not new to Ladakh and despite continuous efforts, the menace of Unexploded Ordnances, or UXOs, have continued for long. What are UXOs, how do they impact civilian life and how threatening they are – these questions can be fully answered only once the threat and its intensity are felt in person. Ladakh’s continuous wars offer some background to the same. Bordering China and Tibet, Ladakh forms the northernmost frontier of the Indian territory. Subsequently, it has experienced consecutive wars since Independence, with impacts of the same still being felt. The war of 1971 and particularly the 1999 Kargil War has had lasting impacts in the region in the form of UXOs, frequently threatening civilian life in the region. UXOs are remnants of explosives or munitions that were either fired or placed during wartime or training exercises but failed to detonate. These lethal remnants can remain dormant for decades, until unwitting civilians, often children, stumble upon them, triggering catastrophic explosions. The prevalence of UXOs is not unique to Ladakh; it plagues regions worldwide scarred by large-scale military conflicts or frequent military exercises. Understanding the true gravity of this menace requires experiencing the treacherous terrain and the unpredictable locations where these deadly devices are concealed.
A personal encounter with Ladakh’s UXOs
My recent visit to Kargil’s Kurba Thang, as part of a research project, introduced me to the harrowing reality of UXOs in Ladakh. Over the past six months, the region has been rocked by two major incidents resulting from UXO explosions. While the Indian Army’s “Forever in Operations” 8 Mountain Division has been engaged in ongoing sanitisation efforts for years, local awareness has gained momentum following these tragic events. Specially trained soldiers from the Engineer Regiment tasked with bomb disposal and demining work tirelessly alongside village administrations, the Kargil Police and the local population.
Challenges of UXO sanitisation in Ladakh
These operations are fraught with practical challenges. The region’s snow-peaked mountains often conceal UXOs on their slopes, making access difficult. Additionally, the high-altitude, low-oxygen terrain further complicates the demining process. Ladakh’s grasslands, historically used by native herder communities known as Bakerwals for cattle grazing, pose another challenge. Initial incidents occurred due to the unawareness of UXOs, but awareness has since increased. However, the drifting of UXOs, propelled by melting snow and natural forces along the slopes, remains a pressing concern. This phenomenon undermines the certainty of a sanitized area, turning well-established walking tracks into potential death traps.
Scrap dealers and the UXO dilemma
Another troubling aspect is the role of scrap dealers in handling UXOs. Because UXOs often contain metal, some scrap dealers unknowingly accumulate them, seeking to sell them for extra profit. Many of these dealers are non-locals with limited awareness of the dangers posed by UXOs, although recent incidents have led to increased awareness in this regard.
Steps taken for safety
Efforts have been made to enhance safety in the region. Signboards warning of UXO presence have been strategically placed at suspected locations, offering a degree of protection to the public. Timely responses from the Sappers and increased reporting by the local population have contributed to making the region safer to navigate. From my interaction with responsible officers as well as locals, I gathered that village administration (particularly Sarpanches) are taking the lead in ascertaining awareness among civilians. When a UXO is spotted, it is immediately reported to the village elders, who in turn contact the Sappers for swift action. If found in uninhabited areas, UXOs are detonated on the spot, or ex-situ detonation is carried out to ensure civilian safety. We have tried putting together a documentary aimed at increasing awareness about this pressing issue is currently in the works and shall be out soon.
A joint effort for safety
The stories of a grieving father who lost his 8-year-old son, a grandfather whose grandson remains hospitalised and the dedicated soldiers of the Engineer’s Regiment, who risk their lives to prevent further casualties, underscore the urgency of addressing Ladakh’s UXO problem. This is a collective effort that requires collaboration from all stakeholders. As one local aptly put it, “One Bakerwal who rears his sheep on the slopes would tell you more about UXOs than anybody else. They need to be the main source of information in this battle.” In conclusion, Ladakh’s wars may have faded from headlines, but the remnants they left behind continue to haunt the region. The menace of UXOs demands our unwavering attention and concerted efforts to ensure the safety of Ladakh’s resilient population, who have endured the perils of war for far too long.
The author is an independent security analyst. She has previously served as a Research Assistant at Centre for Land Warfare Studies, New Delhi. Her areas of research include India’s Internal Security, especially in the Information Realm. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.
Dear editors, Biographie einer Bombe is aimed at highlighting the danger caused by unexploded bombs. Moreover, the most important aspect is that we work completely non profit, what drives us is raising awerness about this topic. We make use of your pictures and articles, but we need them to put a context in how findings are done. We trust in your understanding. We will (and we always do) cite the source and the author. We thank you for your comprehension.
