A training exercise turned tragic in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur district on Saturday night, leaving at least four Indian Army personnel wounded after an explosive-laden drone detonated unexpectedly. Two of the soldiers sustained critical injuries in the blast, which occurred during a routine drill at a military shooting range.
Drone Training Exercise Ends in Explosion
According to officials familiar with the incident, the explosion took place while Army personnel were engaged in a training session involving drones. Preliminary reports indicate that the soldiers were handling drones with explosives attached to them. The blast happened during the loading process, causing immediate injuries to the team on the ground. A senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the exact cause of the explosion is still under investigation and has not yet been officially determined.
Immediate Response and Condition of the Injured
Following the blast, which caused significant panic at the training site, Army officials and local police swiftly launched rescue operations. All four injured personnel were initially rushed to the Behat Community Health Centre (CHC) for urgent medical attention.
Two of the injured, identified as Deepak Kumar (27) and Suresh Singh (40), suffered serious wounds and were subsequently referred to a district hospital for advanced care. The other two soldiers, Praveen Kumar (30) and Pavitra Kumar (35), are currently receiving treatment at the Behat CHC. Medical authorities have stated that their condition is stable.
Army Leads Investigation into the Cause
The incident has prompted a thorough investigation, which is being led by the Indian Army. Local police authorities have noted that they have not been provided with extensive details about the operational specifics of the training drill. The focus of the probe is to ascertain the precise technical or procedural failure that led to the premature detonation of the explosive device on the drone. Such training drills are part of the Army's modern warfare preparedness, incorporating new technologies like drones for tactical operations.
This unfortunate event highlights the inherent risks involved in military training, especially with advanced and explosive ordnance. The nation awaits the full recovery of the brave personnel and a clear report from the investigation to prevent similar accidents in the future.
