Indicating that India will not let its guard any time soon, Indian Air Force(IAF) chief Arup Raha said here on Tuesday that the situation was “live” following the surgical strikes by the Indian Army against terrorist launch pads across the line of Control(loC) and the Armed Forces were ready to face any eventuality.
Making this observation amid tension running high between India and Pakistan post the cross-border military action last week, the IAF chief said his force has the capability to carry out “offensive” action and it was up to the Government and political leadership to take a call. Raha also said it was just a coincidence that Pakistan Air Force air exercise “High Mark” came at a time when Uri attack and surgical strikes took place. “It is quite normal. We are not worried in terms of the exercise,” he added.
His remark about the air exercise across the border in PoK and Pakistan Punjab came in the backdrop of reports that Pakistan was mobilising its Army along the loC and conducting air exercises after the surgical strikes on September 29. The Indian Army destroyed seven terrorist launch pads one to three kms inside PoK. Unconfirmed reports said more than 35 militants ready to infiltrate into Jammu & Kashmir besides other metros of India were killed in the attacks by the Special Forces.
Refraining to answer any question on the surgical strikes, Raha said it was of “sensitive” nature and atmosphere was charged up. “Therefore, it will not be right for me to give a perspective to the operation,” he said. Incidentally, Raha is the first chief among the three Services to face the media after the surgical strikes.
Addressing the customary annual news conference before the Air Force Day on October 8, the IAF chief also said he had “half a mind” to cancel the Press meet as the issue of surgical strikes would come up. In fact, before starting the conference, Raha appealed to media persons to refrain from asking him about the operation. When repeatedly asked about likely response from Pakistan to the Indian military action, Raha said “things are still live”. He also deflected a question about demand from certain quarters to give proof of the surgical strikes.
Responding to direct question about India’s capability to fight a two-front war with Pakistan and China simultaneously, the IAF chief without naming the two countries said the Armed Force including the IAF was fully ready to meet any challenge. He also said IAF had the capacity to “punish” its enemy but a decision on using it in an “offensive role” will have to be taken by the Government.
Admitting that the attack on Pathankot airbase in January this year was a “setback,” Raha said the IAF had taken remedial measures to strengthen security of sensitive air stations to prevent recurrence of such an incident.
Commenting on delays in acquisition of weapon systems, he said earlier the procurement was “process driven and not outcome driven,” but the Government is now making changes to make the procurement process outcome driven.