Anti-IED device failed test: Sandhu

Two devices procured by the Army to counter Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) failed as the device proved a “dud” and could not detect explosives on two occasions in Jammu and Kashmir, deputy national security advisor (NSA) Nehchal Sandhu said on Wednesday at a seminar organised by counter-terror force National Security Guard (NSG).

Addressing the seminar on ‘Terrorists Weapon of Choice: Improvised Explosive Device’ Sandhu said the security establishment has seen innovative IEDs used by militants, Naxals and terror groups that leave no signature and are hard to detect.

NSG Director General Jayanto Chowdhury said a US company approached him with the anti-IED device during his posting as Assam DGP.

Sandhu, a former IB chief, clarified, “The device A3 procured by 15 Core (Indian Army) on trial basis turned out to be duds. Twice, there were blasts and the device failed,” said Sandhu.