Watch: Why India used light artillery guns against Pakistan along the LoC

As Indian troops continue to engage Pakistan along the Line of Control(LoC), the Indian Army used 105 MM locally developed light field guns in the URI sector in J&K recently against Pakistan troops, this is reportedly the first time artillery has been used in the area in nearly 14 years.

The gun is the mainstay of the Indian artillery, it entered into service in the 80s. India has as many as 2,400 guns light field guns, its longer barrel gives it a respectable 17 km range. Moreover, the gun is light enough to be transported by helicopter making it an ideal weapon during cross-border firing.

The gun takes just 3 minutes to get ready for action. The Indian Army also has heavy artillery comprising of 155 MM Bofors guns which was famously used during the Kargil war. The fabled Bofors guns have a range of 39 kms. The Indian army has nearly 400 Bofors guns.

Pakistan is reported to have more 155 MM calibre guns than India.

Artillery regiments are usually located well back from the LoC since they fire shells over large distances.

Experts feel India's latest use of artillery fire instead of mortar attack against Pakistan is mainly because Pak troops have been positioned in reinforced bunkers which renders mortar fire virtually incapable of piercing the bunkers.

India's aim is to ensure Pak army's constant ceasefire violations are met with maximum force, the reason it switched to artillery attack at Uri.

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