Chief of the Indian Air Force RKS Bhadauria (ANI)
NEW DELHI: Chief of the Air Staff Marshal Air Chief RKS Bhadauria reviewed the IAF’s operational readiness along the Royal Line of Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim in light of rising border tensions with China, officials said Thursday.
“Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria visited the frontline air bases at Eastern Air Command (EAC) on Thursday,” an IAF spokesman said without mentioning the names of the air bases.
The Eastern Air Command, based in Shillong, handles air defense of sensitive areas throughout LAC in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, as well as other parts of the region.
The Indian Army and Air Force have increased their alert levels at all key bases throughout LAC’s nearly 3,400 km following further attempts by China to change the status quo on Lake Southern Bank of Pangong in eastern Ladakh.
The IAF spokesman said the Air Chief of Staff was briefed on the “state of readiness” and operational readiness of the combat units under command.
“Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria also met and interacted with the air warriors who served in these units during the course of his visit. He commended the concentrated efforts of the station personnel to maintain proficiency in all intended roles and responsibilities. urged them to continue to do their duty with due diligence, “the official said.
The IAF chief has been regularly visiting key air bases throughout LAC since the border line between Indian and Chinese troops broke out in eastern Ladakh in early May.
In June, Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria paid a quiet visit to Ladakh and Srinagar air bases to review the IAF’s overall readiness.
In the past two months, the IAF has deployed nearly all of its front-line fighter jets such as the Sukhoi 30 MKI, Jaguar and Mirage 2000 jets to key border air bases in eastern Ladakh and elsewhere throughout LAC.
The IAF has also deployed Apache attack helicopters as well as Chinook heavy lift helicopters to transport troops to various forward locations in the region.
On Monday, the Indian military said the Chinese military carried out “provocative military moves” to “unilaterally” change the status quo on the southern shore of Lake Pangong on the middle night of August 29-30, but the attempt was thwarted by Indian troops. .
Foreign Ministry spokesman Anurag Srivastava said on Tuesday that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was engaged in “provocative action” again a day earlier when the ground commanders of the two sides were holding talks to alleviate the situation.
.
