In unison: Flight cadets from all branches of the Indian Air Force Academy marching with masks during a combined graduation parade at Dundigal, on the outskirts of Hyderabad on Saturday. G. Ramakrishna
Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria on Saturday said that despite the unacceptable Chinese action after agreements were reached at military talks and the resulting loss of lives, all efforts were made to ensure that the current situation was resolved “peacefully” along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at the Galwan valley in eastern Ladakh.
“It should be very clear that we are well-prepared and suitably deployed to respond to any contingency ... we will never let the sacrifice of the braves of Galwan go in vain,” he said.
The gallant actions of Indian soldiers who lost their lives during the confrontation with the Chinese forces had demonstrated the resolve to protect the country’s sovereignty at any cost, he told presspersons after reviewing the combined graduation parade of 123 flight cadets at Air Force Academy at Dundigal, 45 km from Hyderabad. “The security scenario in our region mandates that our armed forces remain prepared and vigilant at all times. The development at the LAC in Ladakh is a snapshot of what we are required to handle at short notice,” he said.
Chinese air activity
Responding to a question on Chinese air activity over Tibet since the crisis in Ladakh began, Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria said, “In this period, normally China deploys a fair number of aircraft in the area for their own training. It happens every summer. But this year, the number of deployments has increased and, beyond May, it increased further. We are aware of what has been deployed and are monitoring the deployments and postures and have taken the necessary action.”
He said the IAF had been flying combat patrols whenever required, but there had been no incursion from the fighters. “We know what their [the Chinese] airfields are, where they are deployed and what their operational bases are,” he said.
Earlier, addressing the flight cadets, he said,“The contributions by our esteemed veterans have been pivotal in changing the course of several wars fought by India since Independence.”
Full alert
The armed forces have gone into full alert following the Galwan clash. The IAF has forward-deployed its front-line fighters, including Su-30MKI and MiG-29UPG, and deployed the AH-64E Apache heavy attack helicopter in Leh. The CH-47 Chinook heavy lift helicopters have also been deployed in this region. China has deployed artillery, armoured vehicles and tanks close to the LAC.
It has been learnt that the Army, too, has moved additional divisions from Bareilly and other areas forward for acclimatisation.
(With inputs from
Dinakar Peri in New Delhi)
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