Balasore: The medium-range surface to air missile (MR-SAM) indigenously developed for the Indian Army has been test fired successfully from the launch pad-III of Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur off Balasore coast.
The successful test-fire of the missile has been confirmed after it hit its target 'Bansi', the short range missile which had earlier been launched from launch pad-I of the ITR.
The MR-SAM, which has been developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has achieved its mission objective as decided by Strategic Forces Command, official sources said.
Before carrying out the test, around 8,000 people of five villages residing near ITR at Chandipur were evacuated to safe places.
People from four panchayats living within two and half kilometres range of the defence base were temporarily shifted to safe shelters. As many as 21 vehicles were pressed into service for evacuation, said an official.
Apart from evacuation, the DRDO authorities provided a compensation of Rs 300 to adults, Rs 150 to children and Rs 40 for food for people of all ages. Similarly, adults and children have received Rs 15 and Rs 10 for entertainment.
The defence authorities provided Rs 100 to local residents as cattle feeding charges and Rs 300 to 2,500 people working in various prawn gherries in the region.