Srinagar: After its use in Kashmir, the government of India has decided that Protective body armour will now be used by armed forces patrolling the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to fend off sharp-edged baton and stone attacks by Chinese forces.
The armour was years back introduced to Kashmir to guard armed forces personnel against stone pelting.
According to a report by a Delhi based newspaper Economic Times, Centre is preparing a detailed plan according to which each company of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) will have ‘full-body protectors’ for at least 10% of its personnel. This, officials said, can be used on a rotational basis by troops moving out on patrols.
As part of the new plan being prepared to prevent face-to-face contact between the two armies after the Galwan clash, ITBP, which along with the Army is responsible for patrolling the 3,488 km LAC, is now expected to get additional responsibilities.
The report quoting a senior official, said that full-body protectors were first introduced in Jammu and Kashmir by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to guard against stone pelting.
Giving details about the suit, the official said that the armours are resistant to kerosene, petrol, diesel and Molotov Cocktail and able to withstand temperatures of minus 20 to 55 degree Celsius for up to five hours.
The official added that the armour weighs approximately 6 kg and have chest protectors, shoulder pads, guards for upper arm, elbow and forearm as well as full lower body protective gear.
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