Grand display of weapons at Pangode

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The grand display of Army weapons and equipment organised by the Pangode military station created keen interest among  schoolchildren and the public alike.

The major attraction has been the Polish-made Army tank, Swedish-made 84 mm rocket launcher MK-II, 81 mm  mortar anti-tank guided missile, anti-personnel  mine NMM -14 M-16 and  grenades. The exhibition being held in connection with Independence Day celebrations  will conclude on Friday.

Over 2,500 students from the city schools witnessed the exhibition set in 22  tents and the  majority of them  were seeing the weapons for the first time.   Brigadier Samir Salunke, station commander,  inaugurated the event.

“I have seen the battle tank only in films and this is the first time I am seeing it in close quarters. I  was also amazed by  the anti-personnel mines displayed here,” said a student of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.

Thrissur native K. V. Sajan, a mechanic with Pangode military station,  explained to the students the features  of the Polish- made battle tank. Mr. Sajan explained that if the track of the WZT-3 armoured recovery vehicle is broken, its movement will be stopped.

About 60 Army personnel and their families donated  blood under the leadership of Col.Vijay Kumar, commanding officer, Military Hospital. A grand band display will be held during the closing ceremony on August 15.