The security situation in India is not entirely stable as both the ongoing dispute with Pakistan over the status of Kashmir and armed insurgency in the north-east continue to spark instances of armed violence in the north of the country.1 As of 2023, reports also state that human rights violations persist.2 Due to this instability, India has moderate levels of weapons and ammunition trafficking.3 Unexploded ordnance left in the country continues to pose a threat, especially around its border with Pakistan.4
Nonviolence International is working on the ground to support the through-life management of ammunition. Efforts have focused on developing regional and national mechanisms and initiatives to regulate weapons and ammunition.5
1 “International Armed Conflict between India and Pakistan,” Rule of Law in Armed Conflicts Project (RULAC), Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, updated October 19, 2022, https://www.rulac.org/browse/conflicts/international-armed-conflict-between-pakistan-and-india#collapse1accord; Aarti Betigeri, “India's Northeast: An Integral Piece of the Puzzle,” Lowy Institute, February 2, 2022, https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/india-s-northeast-integral-piece-puzzle.
2 “World Report 2023: India Events of 2022,” Human Rights Watch, accessed September 11, 2023. https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2023/country-chapters/india.
3 Philip Alpers, Miles Lovell and Michael Picard, India – Gun Facts, Figures and the Law (GunPolicy.org, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, 2022), https://www.gunpolicy.org/firearms/region/india.
4 “India Mine Ban Policy,” Landmine & Cluster Munition Monitor, accessed August 26, 2022, http://www.the-monitor.org/en-gb/reports/2018/india/mine-ban-policy.aspx; Ashutosh Sharma, “Death-Traps along the Border: Why Are Indian Landmines Killing Indians?” National Herald, December 9, 2018, https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/death-traps-along-the-border-why-are-indian-landmines-killing-indians.
5 Ammunition Management Activity Platform (A-MAP),” GICHD, 2022, https://a-map.gichd.org.
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Further information
Accidental explosions
Since the Small Arms Survey began collecting data in 1979, numerous accidental explosions have been reported in India.
Table 1. Accidental explosions in India (1979–2021)
Year | Location | Owner/manager | Deaths | Injuries |
2020 | Jodhe | State (military) | 0 | 3 |
2020 | Khundru | State (military) | 2 | 2 |
2019 | Putlighar | Non-state (private) | 2 | 5 |
2018 | Khundru | State (military) | 0 | 2 |
2018 | Pulgaon | State (military) | 6 | 18 |
2017 | Khadki | State (military) | 2 | 0 |
2016 | Pulgaon | State (military) | 19 | 19 |
2015 | Visakhapatnam | State (military) | 0 | 5 |
2013 | Balasore | State (military) | N/A | N/A |
2013 | Nagrota | State (military) | 1 | 1 |
2010 | Binnaguri | State (military) | 0 | 0 |
2010 | Panagarh | State (military) | 0 | 0 |
2009 | Jaisalmer | State (military) | 2 | 2 |
2008 | Bandipora | State (police) | 0 | 0 |
2008 | Gandhidamn | State (military) | 2 | 6 |
2008 | Khundru | State (military) | 1 | 3 |
2007 | Bhadravathi | N/A | 0 | 0 |
2007 | Dehradun | Non-state (company) | 5 | 5 |
2007 | Srinagar | State (military) | 18 | 40 |
2005 | Pulgaon | State (military) | N/A | N/A |
2004 | Amlanagar | State (military) | 0 | 2 |
2004 | Amritsar | State (police) | 0 | 30 |
2004 | Charbatia | State (military) | N/A | N/A |
2003 | Jodhpur | N/A | 0 | 0 |
2002 | Dapper | State (military) | 0 | 4 |
2002 | Ganganar-Bikaner | State (military) | 2 | 12 |
2002 | Jodhpur | State (military) | 0 | 0 |
2001 | Pathankot | State (military) | 0 | 0 |
2001 | Suratgarh | State (military) | 1 | 5 |
2000 | Bharatpur | State (military) | 5 | 10 |
1999 | Kashmir | N/A | N/A | N/A |
1998 | Balasore | State (military) | 0 | 0 |
1993 | Leh | State (military) | 18 | 9 |
1989 | Pulgaon | State (military) | 3 | 15 |
Source: “Unplanned Explosions at Munitions Sites (UEMS) Database,” Small Arms Survey, updated December 15, 2021, https://smallarmssurvey.org/database/unplanned-explosions-munitions-sites-uems.
Cases of diversion
Several cases of diversion have been reported since 2010 in India.
Table 2. Cases of diversion of arms, ammunition and explosives in India since 2010
Year | Location | Description |
2021 | Meghalaya | Three INSAS rifles were stolen from a police station. |
2019 | Madhya Pradesh | Two men posing as officers stole two INSAS rifles and 20 live cartridges from a police station. |
2018 | Madhya Pradesh | 22 AK-47 assault rifles and more than 500 spare parts were stolen from an ordnance depot. |
2018 | Manipur | 56 9 mm 1A pistols and 58 loaded magazines were stolen from a police armoury. |
2010 | Guwahati | 75 bullets were stolen from the army during a transfer to the Pune ordnance factory. |
Source: “2 Men, Posing as Officers, Steal Rifles from Army Cantonment in Madhya Pradesh,” Hindustan Times, December 7, 2019, https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/insas-rifles-stolen-from-armymen-in-madhya-pradesh-accused-impersonated-as-officers/story-AMrdD4LCWMa0KeprHXIiHN.html; “Nia Arrest Arms Syndicate Member in AK47 Stealing and Trade Case,” Hindustan Times, December 9, 2020, https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nia-arrest-arms-syndicate-member-in-ak47-stealing-and-trade-case/story-czIRsMYuZTJbquzKEr3nIP.html; Ratnadip Choudhury, “Anonymous Letter Helps Recover Weapons Stolen from Meghalaya Police,” NDTV, August 23, 2021, https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/anonymous-letter-helps-recover-weapons-insas-rifles-stolen-from-meghalaya-police-in-shillong-on-independence-day-2516916; Khelen Thokchom, “Arms Theft in Manipur,” Telegraph India, April 1, 2018, https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/arms-theft-in-manipur/cid/1445667; “Army Ammunition Stolen from Guwahati Express,” NDTV, May 24, 2010, https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/army-ammunition-stolen-from-guwahati-express-418868.
Disposal
Insufficient information on the disposal of ammunition in India.
Needs
No needs have been reported for India.1
1 India, National Report on the Implementation of the Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons (PoA) and the International Tracing Instrument (ITI) (New York: Permanent Mission of India to the UN, 2022), https://smallarms.un-arm.org/country-profiles/IND.