Injury of Indian Soldiers During Military Exercise in the UK

Exercise Ajeya Warrior, a bilateral biennial Army Exercise between Indian Army and British Army was conducted in Salisbury Plains, UK from 8-28th June, 2015. At 1800 hours on 17th June, 2015, there was a road accident (collision between the vehicles) in the Salisbury Plains Training Area which resulted in injuries to 21 Indian and 02 British soldiers. All soldiers were in British Army vehicles and preliminary inquiries have revealed that the accident was caused due to sudden braking by one of the vehicles in the convoy. While 19 Indian soldiers were discharged after first aid, 02 soldiers (01 Captain and 01 Havildar) were injured severely. The injured soldiers were treated in Salisbury hospital and are recovering well. They have been shifted to the British Army Rehabilitation Centre at Hedley Court. The Medical experts have estimated a time period of approximately three months for the injured soldiers to be shifted back to India. Preventive measures against accidents are being emphasized to all Indian Army contingents participating in Exercise in India and abroad.

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar in a written reply to Shri Anil Desai in Rajya Sabha today.

DM/NAMPI/RAJ