Unexploded ordnance

In News

• An unexploded artillery shell was found near the official residence of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in Chandigarh.

What is an Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)?

• A military ammunition or explosive device that remains unexploded even after it has been primed and fired is known as Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) in military parlance. 
• Such UXO can be leftovers from a war, a military battle inoculation exercise, field firing exercises, or even be part of military scrap that is often exported from one country to another to extract the metal.
• Threats: All unexploded munitions are treated as potentially dangerous and capable of detonating till proven otherwise by professional assessment by military ammunition experts.
  • Unexploded ordnance can always be used as an Improvised Explosive Device by connecting it to an explosive circuit. This is a common use to which such shells are put even in war zones.

• Handling: Whenever such unexploded munition is found by civilians, it is always advised to maintain a safe distance and inform the nearest police or district administration official. 
  • The civilian administration is expected to get in touch with the nearest Army station, which will then despatch Army Ordnance Corps personnel, who are ammunition experts and can identify the ordnance and the safest way of disposing of it.

Source:IE