27 jawans killed in 6 years due to faulty ammo: Army report
The army’s note said 159 soldiers were injured in accidents attributed to OFB-supplied ammunition and armament between 2014 and 2020.
27 jawans killed in 6 years due to faulty ammo: Army report
An internal army assessment has flagged concerns about faulty ammunition and armament supplied by the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) causing army casualties and bleeding the exchequer; 403 accidents over the last six years have resulted in the deaths of 27 soldiers and a loss of Rs 960 crore it said. The four-page note, reviewed by Hindustan Times on Tuesday, said that the army could have bought 100 medium artillery guns with Rs 960 crore that was lost due to poor quality ammunition. It significantly said some friendly foreign countries had even refused to accept OFB products on the grounds of quality and that its corporatisation was the only way forward. An army spokesperson refused to comment, while OFB spokesperson Gagan Chaturvedi said the army’s assessment is not factually correct and that the board will issue a statement on Wednesday. The government has set a one-year timeline for the corporatisation of OFB. The note said 159 soldiers were injured in accidents attributed to OFB-suppli…
