DRDO develops miniature explosive detection kit
Mid-day: The next time you see a Force One Commando opening a case and taking out a stick, which looks like a cigarette, at a blast site don’t think that he’s lighting up to ease the tension.
You may have just seen a miniaturised disposable explosive detection kit which is soon going to be launched by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The Force One Commandos, who are now based in Mumbai, are the first unit to be trained to use this prototype device.
Through the explosive detection kit, the commandos can instantly identify the explosive that was used for detonation. By taking a soil sample from the blast site, and mixing the fluid in the kit, the resultant change of colour can determine the nature of the explosive used in the blast.
More effective
These prototype kits are being made by High Energy Material Research Laboratory (HEMRL) that comes under the DRDO. What is interesting is that they are much more effective and cheaper than the ones available in the US.
Dr A Subhananda Rao, director of HEMRL, said, “The need for a compact detection device was felt long back.
But after the Mumbai terror attack, its need has been felt even more. These detectors will be of use not only to the commandos, but also to the police, BSF and other paramilitary forces, as they are easy to carry and user friendly.”
Reny Roy, a scientist who has played a vital role in the making these kits, said, “These kits are better than some of the best explosive detectors around the world. This is because the US-made explosive detection kit has only four reagent bottles that can only perform preliminary tests.”
“Once the preliminary test indicates that explosive used was RDX or other substance, then a separate confirmatory test using separate chemicals has to be performed. However, in the Indian variant of the kit, there are eight bottles. Four to perform preliminary test and the other four to perform confirmatory test,” Roy added.
The commandant of the Force One Chiranjeev Prasad said, “Our boys have been trained to detect the explosives by using these kits. The kit is a brilliant application of simple common sense and science in making these reagents that can detect even minute traces of explosive dust.”
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