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They haven't procured fresh stock since 2004; much of the stock was used up during the November 26 terror attacks

BACH GAYA: Constable   A Kapse was injured when an inferior quality bullet exploded in his rifle during firing practice at the Golibar firing range in Ghatkopar on Saturday.   FILE PIC

Shocking as it may seem, but a police constable was injured when an inferior quality bullet exploded in his rifle during firing practice at the Golibar firing range in Ghatkopar on Saturday. The constable, A Kapse, was rushed to a nearby hospital, and managed to escape with minor injuries on his hands.

The incident comes at a time when a majority of policemen have been assigned to firing training at various ranges across the city in the past few weeks. MiD DAY had reported last month that only 10 per cent of the police force had turned up for firing practice in 2008.

"Bullets are manufactured mechanically. There is a possibility that it could misfire," said Joint Commissioner of Police K L Prasad.

The incident has also brought to light a startling fact about the sorry state of ammunition allotted to the city's cops. The Mumbai police have not procured any fresh stock of ammunition since 2004, which means that most cops are using bullets that are at least four years old or even more. 

 Police sources revealed that the stocks of ammunition have dipped after the 26/11 attacks. The reason for this dip is that a significant quantity of ammunition was issued to the NSG commandos after they ran out of stocks during the counter-attack, a fact confirmed by Prasad.

He added that the 10 terrorists were carrying around 1,500 live rounds each during the siege of the Taj and Oberoi hotels. With the lack of ammunition in stock, inferior rounds that were generally used for practice sessions are now being issued to regular policemen on duty.

Ammunition stock
The arsenal comprises of 14,000 assorted weapons like AK-47 assault rifles, 9mm calibre carbines, Glock pistols and Self Loading Round guns and pistols. The police also have around 6,000 of 303 calibre second world war vintage Muskets or danda gun issued to constables on security duties.

15,000
Number of bullets the 10 terrorists carried in the 26/11 attacks