Indian Army Chief (CoAS) General Upendra Dwivedi officially launched the portable multi-target detonation device “Agnistra” during the Army Commanders Conference in Gangtok on Friday.
This device has been developed by Major Raj Prasad RS of the Indian Army’s Corps of Engineers and is seen as an advancement in terms of use in both conventional and anti-terrorist operations.
According to Indian Army officials, this device has “tremendous potential” to be used in tasks like room intervention, destruction of remote bunker or hideout and demolition of reserve. Speaking about its capabilities, he said, “It has tremendous potential in both conventional and counter-terrorism operations in tasks such as room intervention, destruction of remote bunkers/hideouts and demolition of reserves.” The device builds on previous achievements made earlier this year.
Major Rajprasad’s invention was granted a patent on March 19. It was specifically designed to improve the safety and reliability of multiple-target detonation, overcoming the limitations of the earlier used exploder dynamo capacitor, which had a range of 400 metres. Also known as Portable Multi-Target Detonation Device (WEDC), the new system is a microprocessor-based electronic device that can operate in both wired and wireless systems with an improved range of 2.5 kilometres. It allows selective and simultaneous firing on multiple targets, allowing it to effectively destroy targets from a safe distance. Major Rajprasad’s work makes a significant contribution to anti-terrorism operations and IED destruction. It also ensures greater safety for soldiers in missions.
On Thursday, General Dwivedi chaired the Army Commanders’ Conference (ACC) in Sikkim, the first time the event was being held at a strategically important location outside Delhi.
The conference is being held in a hybrid format, with the first phase scheduled to be held in Gangtok and the second phase in New Delhi on October 28-29.
