The successful landing of the Indian Air Force largest aircraft the C 130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft at Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), the highest airstrip in the world at 16,614 feet above sea level is the decision, which was also welcomed by the veteran defence forces in the capital city.
According to them, the intention may have gone well beyond the intention of attempting to create a new world record. Veteran defence personnel echoed that the defence forces should immediately take concrete steps to mark their presence felt along line of Actual Control in order to avoid repeating the 1962 episode in the near future.
After expressing his satisfaction over the steps taken by the Indian defence forces at DBO, Brig KG Behl (Retd) said that the Indian defence forces should also take steps to intensify vigilance along lAC in order to prevent Chinese Army to mark their presence on Indian territory.
“The tactical airlift aircraft of the special operations squadron the ‘Veiled Vipers’ which is capable of undertaking quick deployment of forces in all weather conditions, including airdrops and landings on unprepared or semi-prepared surfaces will certainly give strength to the Indian defence forces,” he said, adding that the landing at this altitude and hostile terrain conditions is surely a Herculean task. Brig Behl also said the Indian Government should initiate bilateral talks with Chinese Government in order clear confusions and to avoid 1962 episode in the near future.
Echoing the same sentiments, retired BSF IG SS Kothiyal said that instead of going direct confrontation with the China or Pakistan, the Indian Government should focus on diplomatic talks and push the country further on the path of development. He also expressed concern over the repeated crossing of lAC by Chinese Army in the past couple of months and further blamed it was happened due to the absence of Indian defence forces along the lAC. According to him, the Indian Government should focus on increasing patrolling along the lAC for avoiding such incidents in the near future.
“The DBO has always been an area of discomfort for the Chinese troops as this is the only area along the China-India border where they do not have any direct access to the lAC,” he said, adding that the India and China have been working towards signing a border pact to maintain peace along the lAC besides, number of incursion incidents have been observed in recent months should be monitored strictly by the Indian Government for avoiding the repetition of 1962 episode.
After expressing concern over the repeated crossing of lAC, lt Col (Retd) GS Rawat, State President, Uttarakhand Poorva Sainik and Ardh Sainik Sangathan stressed that the Indian government should try to sort out matter with the help of diplomatic talks and should gain the attention of international community in order to avoid 1962 episode. He said that the Indian defence forces should immediately increase vigilance along the lAC to prevent Chinese army to intrude to the Indian territory.