Army Defuses 1962-Era Live Mortar Shell in Tawang

 

Tawang, June 12: 

An unexploded live mortar shell believed to be from the 1962 Indo-China War era was successfully defused by the Indian Army after being discovered in the Lebrang area of Tawang Township, averting a potential threat to life and property.

According to official reports, on June 11, 2026, at around 4:00 PM, Officer-in-Charge of Tawang Police Station, SI Lham Thinley, received information regarding the presence of an unexploded live mortar bomb in the Lebrang area. Upon receiving the report, Superintendent of Police (SP) Tawang, Tasi Darang, immediately contacted the Commandant of the 190 Mountain Brigade stationed in Tawang and sought assistance for the safe disposal of the explosive.

Following the alert, Tawang District Police promptly cordoned off the area to ensure public safety. However, due to fading daylight and the high-risk nature of the operation, the disposal process could not be carried out on the same day.

In the early hours of June 12, a coordinated operation was launched in the presence of Brigadier Bhupal Singh, Sena Medal, Commander of the 190 Mountain Brigade; Colonel N. Vasantharaj; SP Tawang Tasi Darang; and Major Mohammad Akhlas. A specialized Army Bomb Disposal Team carefully assessed the situation and transported the live mortar shell to the Methang area for a controlled disposal operation.

Despite the significant risks involved, the Army team successfully neutralized the explosive through a controlled detonation, ensuring that no loss of life, property, or livestock occurred during the operation.

SP Tasi Darang expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the officers and personnel of the 190 Mountain Brigade for their swift response, professionalism, and invaluable assistance in safely disposing of the live ordnance.

Officials noted that unexploded mortar shells and other war remnants from the 1962 Indo-China War are occasionally discovered in several border areas of Arunachal Pradesh. Such explosives remain highly dangerous even after decades and can cause catastrophic damage if accidentally triggered.

SP Tasi Darang has urged members of the public to immediately inform the district police or nearest security authorities if any suspected unexploded ordnance or similar objects are found, and to avoid handling or approaching such items under any circumstances.

DC Tawang Calls for Collective Action on Waste Management

 

Tawang, June 12:

Deputy Commissioner of Tawang, Namgyal Angmo, IAS, on Friday convened a meeting with all employees of the Deputy Commissioner's Office, Tawang, to reinforce the urgent need for responsible waste management and environmental stewardship across the district.

Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Commissioner informed that, in accordance with directions issued by the Hon'ble Supreme Court, district administrations have been empowered and directed to ensure the strict implementation of waste management practices within their respective jurisdictions. She emphasized that safeguarding the environment is a collective responsibility and called upon all government employees to take the lead in promoting sustainable habits.

As part of the district's efforts to reduce plastic pollution, the Deputy Commissioner urged all employees to refrain from using single-use plastic carry bags and adopt eco-friendly alternatives. She further informed that there will be a complete ban on bottled drinking water below two litres, a measure aimed at significantly reducing plastic waste generation in the district.

Highlighting the importance of waste segregation and sustainable disposal methods, she directed all government employees to construct compost or dumping pits in their backyards for the disposal of kitchen waste. She also stressed the need for segregation of waste at source, stating that proper segregation not only reduces the burden on sanitation workers but also enhances the operational efficiency of the district's Material Recovery Facility (MRF).

During the meeting, Assistant Commissioner Sange Norbu delivered a detailed presentation on waste segregation and responsible waste disposal practices. He drew attention to the alarming condition of the district's landfill dumping site, where the continuous disposal of unsegregated waste has led to serious environmental and safety concerns.

He cautioned that if immediate corrective measures are not adopted, the growing waste crisis could pose significant threats to wildlife, public health, and the safety of sanitation workers who work tirelessly to manage the district's waste. He emphasized that effective waste segregation at the household and institutional levels is critical to reducing the volume of waste reaching the landfill and ensuring a cleaner environment for future generations.

The meeting concluded with a strong appeal to all employees to become ambassadors of cleanliness and environmental conservation by adopting sustainable waste management practices in their daily lives.

Reiterating the importance of individual responsibility, the district administration emphasized that every plastic bag refused, every bottle reused, and every waste item properly segregated contributes towards building a cleaner, greener, and healthier Tawang.