Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

Subject: Science and Technology

Context:

• An unexploded artillery shell was found near the official residence of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in Chandigarh.

What is an Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)?

• A military ammunition or explosive device that remains unexploded even after it has been primed and fired is known as Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) in military parlance.
• Such UXO can be left-overs from a war, a military battle inoculation exercise, field firing exercises or even be part of military scrap that is often exported from one country to another to extract metal.

Are such unexploded munitions dangerous?

• Yes. All unexploded munitions are treated as potentially dangerous and capable of detonating till proven otherwise by professional assessment by military ammunition experts.

How do such unexploded munitions reach civilian hands?

• Locals of the area pick it up to sell it as scraps.
• Many times it exploded while scrap dealers were trying to remove copper from the ammunition.

Procedure to dispose it off safely:

• Whenever such unexploded ammunition is found by civilians, it is always advised to maintain a safe distance and inform the nearest police or district administration official.
• The civilian administration is expected to get in touch with the nearest Army station, which will then dispatch Army Ordnance Corps personnel, who are ammunition experts and can identify the ordinance and the safest way of disposing of it.