Army destroys over 460 anti-tank mines, mortars in J and K's Rajouri district

Jammu: The army has destroyed over 460 anti-tank mines and motor bombs laid by it during operations in the past in a farmland in Nowshera sector of Jammu and Kashmnir's Rajouri district and the area has been handed over to the land owners, a defence spokesman said today.

"A total of 464 anti-tank mines and four unexploded mortar bombs were recovered and destroyed by the formation engineers and Lam battalion from the farmland that was demined in Sariyah village in the Nowshera sector of Rajouri district last year", Jammu based defence spokesman, Lt Col Manish Mehta said.

He said that it was a herculean task undertaken by the army to provide succour to farmers of the area whose farmlands were taken by the forces to lay mines in the past.

"The demining task was relentlessly pursued for three months and after making sure that it was completely free of mines, the possession of the land was handed over to the villagers last year," he said.

He said the army's effort was appreciated by the village elders and the entire community, saying it was the last bastion of hope for people in remote areas.