IAF chief warns of more Pathankot-type attacks

A heavily-armed terror group from across the border attacked IAF’s Pathankot base on January 2, 2016, and seven security personnel were killed before the 10 terrorists were killed in a operation lasting for three days.

“Post Pathankot terrorist attacks last year, the IAF has carried out a series of measures to enhance its ability to protect,” said Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa.

Reiterating that the IAF had strengthened the defence of its bases, he said intense training had been carried out to counter ‘fidayeen’ attacks. “As a service, we are prepared for a conflict at a very short notice,” he said.

Ruling out any large-scale terror attack on civil structure as in the 26/11 Mumbai attack, Dhanoa said the military would be targeted. “The possibility of a large-scale terror attack on civil infrastructure like it happened in Mumbai on 26/11, or on Parliament (on December 13, 2001), is slightly remote, as it will invite worldwide condemtion,” he said. On the strategic environment, Dhanoa said on the northern border, there was a difference in the Indian and Chinese perception of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which is sometimes at “so much variation that it results in a standoff, which hopefully gets resolved”.

Referring to the recent standoff at Doklam, Dhanoa clarified that there was no airspace violation from either side as fighters on both sides maintain at least 10 km distance from the LAC. (IANS)