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| Officers and soldiers of the bomb and mine clearance team under Thai Son Corporation are carrying out their duties in Na Can village, Can Ty commune. |
Silent on the rocky slope
During the fighting to defend the northern border, the Ha Tuyen front was one of the fiercest battlefields. From 1979 to 1989, it witnessed the participation of 16 divisions, 4 brigades, and many local forces. According to statistics from the Vi Xuyen Front Liaison Committee, approximately over 4,300 martyrs bravely sacrificed their lives on this borderland.
Nearly four decades have passed, but the consequences of the war are still evident. Beneath the forest canopy, on the jagged mountain slopes, or deep underground, many types of bombs, mines, and unexploded ordnance remain, posing a constant danger to the people and a major obstacle to the search and collection of the remains of fallen soldiers.
According to statistics, the province currently has over 95,363 hectares of land contaminated with bombs, mines, and other unexploded ordnance; of which 19,513 hectares are heavily contaminated. To date, functional forces have cleared more than 21,513 hectares, reaching 22.55%. Nearly 2,000 hectares of heavily contaminated land are currently being addressed in 12 border communes.
In early June, we arrived in Na Can village, Can Ty commune. Amidst the towering limestone mountains, the rhythmic hum of metal detectors echoed. On the steep slopes, the officers and soldiers of the bomb disposal team diligently performed each operation according to technical procedures, carefully observing every step of the search.
Lieutenant Colonel Bui Tuan Anh, Commander of the Mine Clearance Team under Thai Son Corporation ( Ministry of National Defense ), said: "There were days when officers and soldiers had to climb steep slopes for hours to reach the construction site. However, recognizing this as a particularly important political task, the forces always upheld a high sense of responsibility, overcame difficulties, and were determined to complete the assigned task. To date, the unit has completed more than 70% of the work according to the plan. During the construction process, the mine clearance force discovered and safely handled over 440 explosive devices of various types, including grenades, artillery shells, landmines, and many metal objects remaining from the war."
Captain Do Van Thuc, Team Leader of the Mine Clearance Team in Na Can village, shared: “After each time we discover and safely handle a mine or unexploded ordnance, we feel very happy. The work not only contributes to ensuring the safety of the people but also creates favorable conditions for search teams to access areas that may still contain the remains of fallen soldiers.”
Restore peace, extend friendship.
Along with the task of ensuring the safety of people's lives and production, bomb and mine clearance work also has special significance in the journey of searching for and collecting the remains of fallen soldiers.
According to the Provincial Military Command, there are currently 26 units with 170 construction teams carrying out the clearance of over 4,460 hectares of land contaminated with bombs and mines. To date, the units have completed more than 2,513 hectares, achieving over 56% of the target. During the construction process, more than 22,000 explosive devices of various types have been discovered, collected, and safely disposed of. This result contributes to cleaning up the land, ensuring the safety of the people, creating conditions for socio-economic development, and effectively implementing the work of showing gratitude to those who sacrificed for the country.
Colonel Nguyen Hoai Nam, member of the Provincial Party Committee and Political Commissar of the Provincial Military Command, emphasized: “The work of clearing mines and unexploded ordnance is of special importance to the 500-day campaign to search for and collect the remains of fallen soldiers. We have directed the forces to concentrate manpower and equipment, accelerate the construction progress, ensure absolute safety, and create favorable conditions for the search forces to access the site. Every square meter of land cleared is another opportunity to bring the heroic martyrs back to their homeland.”
Many challenges remain, as tens of thousands of hectares of land in the province are still contaminated with bombs, mines, and unexploded ordnance. However, on the rocky mountain slopes of the border region, once stained with the smoke and fire of war, the demining efforts are being persistently carried out by the authorities, bringing hope in the search and collection of the remains of fallen soldiers, allowing them to return to their comrades, hometowns, and loved ones after many years of waiting.
Text and photos: Thanh Thủy
Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/an-ninh-quoc-phong/bien-phong/202606/hoi-sinh-dat-bien-cuong-1472f52/
