By IANS,
New Delhi : Voicing concern over the safety of six choppers deployed in anti-Maoist operations, Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne Friday stressed on the need for states to bolster infrastructure to combat Left-wing extremism.
Six helicopters of the Indian Air Force (IAF) are set to complete three years of active engagement in anti-Maoist operations.
Speaking to reporters, Browne said the IAF has requested the government to ensure that states stricken with Left-wing extremism augment their infrastructure to ensure safety and security of IAF helicopters and men deployed in these operations.
“As far as the infrastructure (in Maoist-affected areas) is concerned, yes, we have a problem. We were sure of certain amount of infrastructure which was to come up by the state government, unfortunately that has not happened,” Browne said.
“Our request has been to the chief secretaries of these states to get the infrastructure up because right now, in the middle of the monsoon, our helicopters are parked outside and our crew does not have place to rest.”
He, however, made it clear that there was no proposal to put more choppers in anti-Maoist operations.
The IAF has deployed six helicopters in anti-Maoist operations, which are “more than adequate,” he said, adding that chopper pilots have flown more than 5,000 sorties during their deployment in these areas in the last two-and-a-half years.
The IAF chief also announced that IAF would soon start flying choppers with night flying capability in Maoist-affected regions.
“We are close to getting Mi-17 V-5 helicopters and in due course of time we will be able to switch to full night operations. These are far more capable (aircraft) in terms of safety and the helicopters will be able to access the areas which they were not able to,” Browne said.
The IAF chief, however, ruled out any change in the Rules of Engagement in the anti-Maoist operations.
“The rules of engagement do not change. There is no offensive fire unless they are fired upon,” he said.
Browne stressed that the union home ministry and paramilitary forces should realise that there was no alternative to putting “boots on the ground.”
“We have also explained to the MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) that you can’t rely on heavy-lift helicopters for every little job that you have. You also need to start clearing the roads as well and the foot on the ground should start making the difference.”
“We are there to support them in terms of logistics support, transportation and casualty evacuation,” he said.