The casualties during the current landmine removal from the borders may be much less than what was initially reported but the issue is still extremely serious. Five months after the withdrawal of the defence forces from battle stations was ordered, reportedly only about one-third of the landmines have been removed so far. This may well be the result of a conscious strategy, in case the army has to move back into battle-stations quickly in the near future. But if this is not the case, it reflects poorly on the operational capability of one of the most professional militaries in the world.There were a large number of casualties when the mines were being laid. That was mostly ascribed to old mines and inadequate training. And these factors, no doubt, contribute to the current problem too. On the face of it, there can be no excuse for any neglect of low-cost, low technology military weapons and equipment, particularly when they are being indigenously manufactured. It is also conceded that poor nations like ours tend to retain older equipment for longer durations. But the landmines recovery problem does highlight two urgent issues. First, continued low investments in the modernisation of the defence forces have probably created a critical situation in many sectors of our defence capability. The second is the great emphasis on the big-ticket items — at times to the gross neglect of the less visible, low technology systems that would be crucial to win a war.We must pay greater attention to the so-called low-end military equipment, especially that which directly affects the jawans. Inordinate delays, accidents and casualties in areas like mine-removal have implications that go far beyond the specific issue. It is likely that the landmines used are of vintage quality, and their fuses are problem prone. There has been a world movement to ban anti-personnel mines. But these play a crucial role at low cost in defence. In any case, a country like ours cannot give up the option of low cost mines unless an equivalent low cost system is available. At the same time, the defence establishment needs to be sensitive to the fact that failures of the type that have beset mine laying and removal undermine public confidence in the professional management of defence. This in turn could adversely affect the morale of the fighting forces.
