Tragically, on October 10, 2024, two Agniveers lost their lives during a firing exercise at the Deolali Field Firing Range near Nashik in Maharashtra. It happened when one of the artillery shells exploded, and both suffered grievous injuries. Despite the efforts put in to rush them to the hospital, both succumbed to injuries sustained in the fatal accident that now sees the Indian Army and the nation in mourning.
These two Agniveers were a part of batches training at the renowned Artillery School in Deolali. They had come from Hyderabad for this specialized training. During the routine function of an Indian field gun, which is generally used for artillery drills, an explosion took place. The investigation further determines the details of the specific cause; however, the Indian Army has ordered a court of inquiry to conduct a thorough probe into the circumstances leading to the accident.
An accidental death report (ADR) has already been registered by the police at Deolali Camp, which has started in view to investigate if there was mechanical failure or procedural lapse that caused the explosion.
Such incidents highlight the risks experienced by personnel in the military during training exercises. Initiated under the Indian government’s impetus for short-term service training of young soldiers, it has received much public attention since its launch. Agniveers are trained intensively for all the duties they will perform as active personnel, and safety measures during such exercises become extremely important. The unfortunate demise of two soldiers has called again for an urgent review of safety precautionary measures to rule out the possibility of such incidents in similar circumstances in the future.
The shocking news of this tragedy reverberated across the military community, with fellow officers and soldiers expressing grief and condolences to the families of the deceased. This incident would bring the Indian Army under scrutiny when reviewing training incidents and implementing stricter safety instructions to protect soldiers during live exercises.
The incident again is a sad reminder of the dangers that involve military training; at times, it is a wee bit similar to simulating a real battle. While the investigation is being carried on, the nation waits with bated breath to know the very reason for the fatal shell explosion and wishes for an eventual improvement in safety measures in the future.
The exact cause of the explosion will be determined following the court of inquiry, and further updates will shed light on the technicalities behind the tragedy.
