IAF to begin night operations in Naxal-hit areas

Intending to go all out against the naxals, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is all geared up for starting day and night operations in the naxal-hit regions and has even asked the Union Home Ministry to have more foot on the ground.

 

 

Admitting that lack of infrastructure on the ground has been a very big concern in operating helicopters in the region even for defensive purposes, Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne on Friday said that the force has requested the state governments to spruce up infrastructure in the areas as the helicopters have to be parked in open during the monsoon season.

With IAF completing three years of its engagement in anti-naxal operations in December, the IAF Chief said that he does not see an end to it in near future. However, Air Chief Marshal also ruled out augmenting assets for the operation saying the force has deployed six Mi-17 helicopters and they are “more than adequate”.

“We are close to getting Mi-17 V-5 helicopters and in due course of time we will be able to switch to full night operations. These are far more capable aircraft in terms of safety and the helicopters will be able to access the areas which they were not able to meet,” Air Chief Marshal Browne said during his annual press conference ahead of the Air Force Day on October 8. The IAF helicopters have flown more than 5,000 sorties and facilitated movement of more than 30,000 paramilitary troops during their deployment in the anti-naxal operations.

Sources said the decision has come in the wake of the observation that the paramilitary forces deployed in the region also stop their operations post sun-down and the naxalites were having a “free-run”. So it was decided to scale up the operations with the air support for casualty evacuation and troops movement being made available through day and night.

The IAF Chief also made it clear that there was requirement of more effective operations by the men on the ground.  “We have also explained to the MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) that you can t rely on heavy-lift helicopters for every little job that you have. You also need to start clearing the roads as well and the foot on the ground should start making the difference. We are there to support them in terms of logistics support, transportation, casualty evacuation and etc,” he said.

IAF has also requested the state governments to set up infrastructure for its men and machine on a semi-permanent basis.

“As far as the infrastructure in naxal-affected areas is concerned, yes, we have a problem. We were sure of certain amount of infrastructure which was to come up by the state government unfortunately that has not happened,” Air Chief Marshal Browne said.

 

He said the rules of engagement for the force will not change in the anti-naxal operations. “The rules of engagement do not change. There is no offensive fire unless they are fired upon,” he said.