Indian Army training Lao troops in de-mining

An Indian Army team is training Laotian troops in de-mining and bomb disposal operations, it was announced Tuesday.

“An Indian Army combat engineers team led by Captain Dheeraj has reached Lao PDR (People’s Democratic Republic) for training their cadres for three weeks in de-mining and bomb disposal operations,” an army release said. The training began on Feb 21.

This is the first instance of any such activity in Laos, where there are a large number of unexploded bombs and mines from the Vietnam war era, assisted by another country, the release said.

Laos deputy chief of general staff Brigadier Souvone inaugurated the training in the presence of Indian ambassador to Laos J.N. Misra, it added.

India and Laos are this year celebrating the 55th anniversary of their relationship.