Two super high altitude shooting ranges were made accessible to the military forces in Arunachal Pradesh for the practice of various types of weaponry and surveillance equipment within an aerial distance of 50 kilometers from the extremely sensitive Line of Actual Control, according to reports.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu took the initiative to give over the territory of the Mandala and Kamrala shooting ranges, which are located at an elevation of more than 10,000 feet, to the military forces.
While the first of the integrated surveillance and firepower training exercises, dubbed 'Buland Bharat,' was held in Mandala in May, a major shooting exercise at the Kamrala firing range has yet to take place, according to security sources. Both extremely high altitude shooting ranges are less than 50 kilometers from the LAC. Arunachal Pradesh and China's Tibet Autonomous Region share a 1,129-kilometer-long LAC.
According to a top security officer stationed in the region, Chief Minister Khandu personally made both shooting ranges in Arunachal Pradesh available to the armed forces.
"National interests come first," Khandu told PTI when reached. We have chosen to hand up the property for the two shooting ranges in consideration of the military services' needs."
Yangste, where PLA soldiers intruded on December 9, last year, is part of the chief minister's assembly seat Mukto in Tawang district. After the PLA troops invaded Yangste, they battled with the Indian Army, injuring soldiers from both sides.
According to reports, the two shooting ranges would be extremely beneficial to the armed services since personnel stationed in high-altitude critical places such as Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh will be able to test their weaponry and acclimate.
During the 'Buland Bharat' exercise, the armed services conducted an integrated surveillance and firepower training exercise to test'simulated battle circumstances in high altitude locations'.
The drill involves the coordinated use of infantry and artillery radars and weapon systems for observation and firepower.It was also practiced to fire from the air.
According to the sources, it was done in close collaboration with the special forces, aircraft, and Central Armed Police Forces posted in the Arunachal Pradesh sectors of Kameng and Tawang.
The Army utilized 155 mm Bofors howitzers, 105 mm field guns, and 120 mm mortars at Mandala, among other heavy fire systems.
According to the sources, the drill also included the employment of Dhanush and Sharang guns, Pinaka and Smerch multi-launch rocket systems, modern M-777 ultra-light howitzers, and winterized K-9 Vajra self-propelled tracked guns.