Two Agniveers killed when shell explodes during firing exercise in Nashik, Maharashtra | Latest News India

Two ‘Agniveers’ were killed in a shell explosion during a firing practice at the Artillery School in Nashik, Maharashtra, police said on Friday.

“The shell of an Indian field gun exploded in the center of Nashik Road area on Thursday afternoon,” PTI quoted a police officer as saying.

“A team of Agniveers was firing the field gun when one of the shells exploded. Two of them sustained injuries and were rushed to the Military Hospital in Deolali where they were declared dead,” he said.

The deceased were identified as Gohil Vishwaraj Singh (20) and Saifat Shit (21). They came from Hyderabad for training, India Today reportedadding that a court of inquiry (CoI) has been set up to ascertain the exact cause of the incident.

“Unfortunately it is true. The training accident happened yesterday and is being investigated,” an army statement read.

Police have registered a case of accidental death on a complaint from Havildar Ajit Kumar and further investigation is underway.

Who are the ‘Agniveers’?

The Indian Armed Forces inducts ‘Agniveers’ under the ‘Agnipath’ scheme, launched in June 2022. Recruits serve a four-year term: training for six months and deployment for the remaining 3.5 years (42 months). At the end of the term, not more than 25% of the Agniveers from an outgoing batch are selected into the permanent cadre.

The opposition, especially Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, now the leader of the opposition, has repeatedly claimed Agniveers do not get the same benefits as a regular officer or jawan, a charge the ruling BJP rejects.

The Center and the BJP-ruled states have reserved jobsin central and state services respectively for Agniveers who retire at the end of four years.