Army inducts remote-operated robot to defuse IEDs in Assam

The first and only ROV arrived in Assam on January 17 and it was successfully used a week later to defuse an IED near the Deputy Commissioners office at Mangaldoi in Darrang. It is so well designed that it not only negotiates undulating ground but easily climbs stairs with a person controlling it with a remote device from a distance of up to 350 metres, the officer said.

Militant planted as many as 39 IEDs in central and lower Assam between July and December 2012. ROV has increased the efficiency of bomb disposal squads as also gradually doing away with IED blankets that are cumbersome and risky, defence PRO Col S S Phogat claimed.

The ROV is fitted with four cameras that together keep an 360 degree eye on the IED.

In the event of ROV failing to pick up the IED or disconnect its power source,the person controlling it can either put the fitted water-jet to use or fire from the ROVs shot-gun in order to disable it, said another Army officer.