Highway security

Ever since the Maoists bombed a passenger bus in Madi,Chitwan killing about thirty people, travel in the national highways has been a nightmare to many. The Maoists try to target security personnel who regularly use buses for transport. Now, the army has issued directive ordering soldiers to refrain from using buses while on duty. Despite this, security problem persists in the highways and many more people are likely to die in the future.
The Maoists use roadside bomb to target military and police vehicles. These explosives concocted with explosive materials imported from India are triggered by 'button pushers' who observe their quarry before pushing the button to detonate the bomb. It is extremey difficult to locate both the bomb and the 'button pushers'. It is said that these 'button pushers' position themselves close to a few hundred meters of the bomb at a vantage point to observe the target area.
There is no technology to detect bombs laden at roadside apart from crude metal detectors which a soldier in outlying areas is likely to get into his hand. These devices are nothing like ones used in Iraq by US troops who also are victims of suicide bombers. All soldiers in patrol must keep a keen eye for the 'button pushers' who are often cleverly camouflaged with the terrain. To locate these elusive foe, is one hell of a task for underequipped, unmotivated Royal Nepal Army men who are often poorly trained.
Anytime another bus might go off like an ignited matchbox, at the mercy of whim of some trigger-happy Maoist executive. With th ecoming of festival season, tens of thousands of Nepalis return to their home villages and towns. Public buses are the chief means of transport for these people. Although a truce can be expected during Dashain, small miscalculation by the rebels can trigger a human catastrophe. Travelling by buses is ticking time bomb. Anytime it can go off. Not only buses, private cars and SUVs are also potential targets. Incidents of Maoists stopping and torching vehicles, although passengers have been spared, is quite common. A non-insured vehicle can be a source of terrible loss to its owner.
Army has recently purchased WZ-523 APCs from China. these can be used for highway security. however, the army needs more than the six purchased to patrol the major highways.