Models of all major Improvised Explosive Device (IED) incidents across India and abroad are an important feature at CRPF’s Institute of IED Management, which aims to train soldiers to detect, neutralise and destroy the explosive used widely by Naxals.

IEDs are the main tool of Naxals and militants and CRPF, being in the forefront of the anti-insurgency operations, have suffered huge casualties in the explosions.

The new institute housed at the Talegaon campus of CRPF, near here, will be equipped with a world-class IED training laboratory with the database of all IED incidents with facilities for data management and predictions, according to CRPF spokesman, Mr B.C. Khanduri.

Noting that a large number of security personnel killed in the anti-insurgency operations have been victims of IED landmines, CRPF Additional Director-General (Operations), said officers in batches would be trained to handle the threat of IEDs at IIM, drawing personnel from the Naxal-hit areas of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Orissa and Bihar.

“Landmines and IEDs are most serious problems faced by CRPF and other forces deployed in Maoist-hit states. Almost 70 per cent of the casualties of the forces are due to triggering of IEDs by Naxals. At present, there is a yawning gap between need and availability of IED trained men on the ground and to bridge this gap CRPF has raised this institute,” he said.

The IIM lab will provide a wide spectrum of specialised and technical training that includes all aspects of IED management comprising search, detection, identification and disposal through realistic and functional methods.

Related Topics