Faceoff in Ladakh: Ensured steps to handle all contingencies: IAF Chief
Army deploys more troops, ammunition on LAC
Hyderabad: The Indian Air Force is “well prepared” and “suitably deployed” to counter any security challenge along the border with China, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria said on Saturday as a deadly clash between troops of the countries in eastern Ladakh triggered fears of a fresh confrontation.
He said the IAF was aware of the Chinese air force’s capability, its airfields, operational bases and deployment of its platforms in the region, asserting that his force has taken all necessary steps to handle all contingencies.
The Chief of Air Staff was speaking after reviewing the combined passing-out parade of officers at the IAF academy in Dundigal.
“We are aware of the full situation, be at LAC (Line of Actual Control), be it deployments beyond LAC,” he said.
“We are determined that we will not let the sacrifice of the Galwan bravehearts go in vain,” Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria said referring to the killing of 20 Indian Army personnel in the Galwan Valley clash on Monday night.
At the same time, he said all efforts are being made to resolve the situation peacefully.
The Indian Air Force has put all its frontline bases along the 3,500 km de-facto border with China on high-alert and moved in additional assets like fighter jets and attack helicopters as part of heightened state of preparedness following the clashes.
The IAF chief was at the Leh IAF base on Wednesday where he reviewed operational preparedness of the force.
“It should be very clear that we are well prepared and suitably deployed to respond to any contingency. I assure the nation that we are determined to deliver and will never let the sacrifice of our braves of Galwan go in vain,” the IAF chief said.
Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria said the IAF has carried out a full analysis of the situation and initiated necessary action accordingly to handle any contingency that may arise with “this kind of deployment”.
“We know what their (Chinese) fields are. We know what their air fields are, where they are deployed, what are the operational bases,” he said referring to the Chinese air force.
On Wednesday, the government put all the frontline bases of the Indian Army and the IAF along the Line of Actual Control with China on high alert in view of the Galwan clashes.
Though, every year China makes deployment and conducts air exercises in the region, there was an increase in activities this time, the IAF chief said.
“The security scenario in our region mandates that our armed forces remain prepared and vigilant at all times. The development at LAC is a small snapshot of what we are required to handle at short notice,” he added.
The Indian and Chinese armies were engaged in a standoff in Galwan and several other areas of eastern Ladakh since May 5 when the two sides clashed on the banks of the Pangong Tso.
Military and diplomatic talks between the two countries are on to resolve the border standoff.
Meanwhile, large scale movement on troops to Ladakh has been ordered by the Army from other parts of the country after the clash at Galwan between Indian and Chinese troops.
While the build-up of forces had already taken place to a considerable extent after the Chinese forces had gathered in strength along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and in certain areas across it, the Galwan clash has led to a fresh strategic assessment.
Highly placed sources said that a formation from Uttar Pradesh has been ordered to move to Ladakh post-haste Thursday night. Similar movements have also been ordered from other areas too.
The highway to Leh via Manali was today full of Army convoys heading towards Ladakh. These convoys included several dozen vehicles towing artillery guns. Sources say the M-777 light howitzers which were recently inducted into the Army have also been stationed at forward locations in Ladakh.
The Army has already pushed ahead several brigades and engineer regiments into Ladakh from peace time locations in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. By one estimates there are already two divisions worth of troops deployed in eastern Ladakh by now and more would follow.
While the Army has been ramping up its deployment, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has also stationed its fighter aircraft at forward locations in Punjab and Haryana. The newly inducted Apache attack helicopters too have been moved to Leh.
These helicopters have the capability to operate at very high altitudes and have excellent surveillance capabilities too.
In a related move along the Chinese border in Himachal Pradesh, additional troops have been rushed to Sumdo and Kaurik areas of the state which are on border. These areas have seen intrusions by Chinese helicopters in April. (with PTI inputs)
