Amidst ongoing political slugfest over the recent surgical strikes across the line of Control (loC), Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Arup Raha said here on Saturday that the armed forces were ready to give a befitting reply to any challenge as they are supposed to deliver the result that the nation expects.
“There has been so much discussion on this issue in the country, every section of society is giving opinion. The armed forces are supposed to deliver the result that the nation expects. We are not going to talk about it, we will just deliver,” he asserted.
The IAF chief's remarks came in response to a query about the ongoing political bickering over the surgical strikes conducted by the Army on September 29 against terrorist launch pads across the lOC. The Opposition charged the Government with deriving political mileage from the military action.
The Army destroyed seven launch pads and inflicted “significant casualties” amongst terrorist ranks ready to infiltrate into Jammu & Kashmir and other metros of the country to step up violence.
Unconfirmed reports suggested that 35-40 terrorists were killed in the surgical strikes conducted by the Special Forces.
Raha made these observations during an event to celebrate the IAF’s 84th Foundation Day with a spectacular air display at Air Force Station Hindon, Ghaziabad district. Earlier, this week, he had refrained from taking questions on the surgical strikes and said “situation was live” post the operation and said it will be inappropriate for him to give a perspective. The IAF chief had said this on Tuesday while addressing the annual Press conference before the IAF Day. He had also said then the IAF has the capability to “punish” the enemy and the political leadership has to take a decision to use the IAF in an "offensive" role.
In his customary address at the IAF Day celebrations at Hindon airbase, Raha, who is also the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee said, "world is in a flux today. Terrorists attacks in Uri and Pathankot show the troubled times we live today."
In his message on official Facebook page of the IAF - Indian Air Force, Power to Punish - launched on the occasion, the IAF chief said the force is operating some of the most modern weapons and equipments and the air warriors exercise ceaseless vigil of skies. "We continue to train to take up any threat and are fully prepared to undertake any challenge in most befitting manner," Raha said.
Asked later about increasing threat from Pakistan, he said the armed forces are well prepared to take on any sub- conventional threats. He said this in apparent reference to Pakistan conducting proxy war against India through the use of terrorists. Raha said terrorists can always get better but the armed forces can neutralise them. With each incident, the forces are getting smarter and learning new lessons, he said.