The Indian Army is rushing in sophisticated de-mining equipment to clear landmines spread over 2000 acres along the India-Pakistan border after seven people, including four army soldiers, died in de-mining operations over the past several months.

An army statement released on Tuesday said that it had lost four personnel, while ten soldiers had suffered serious injuries. Three civilians also lost their lives when they stepped on mines, the statement added.

The army's statement came in response to news reports that it was forced to stop de-mining operations for several days due to lack of proper equipment. "The Ministry of Defence is taking all necessary measures to augment the existing resources for de-mining and the procurement of de-mining sets is in the final stages," the statement said. The MoD is also buying "boots anti-mine," it added.

The army, however, admitted that it had halted de-mining operations between February 5 and 13 to "take mid-course stock of the overall de-mining operations" and that the de-mining is now back in full swing.