IAF to double choppers' strength for anti-Maoist operations

[thestringshredder]

NEW DELHI: IAF is going to virtually Double the number of its Helicopters deployed for logistical and Surveillance Support in the ongoing Anti-Maoist operations, with a particular Focus on the Naxalite Hotbed of Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh. IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal (ACM) NAK Browne on Wednesday said a new Unit of the latest armed Mi-17 V5 Helicopters, which can Operate Round-the-clock with night-Vision Devices, within a month would be Operational in Nagpur. "This Helicopter Unit will Provide Support to the full troops on the Ground in Jagdalpur, "he said. The IAF currently has six Mi-17 choppers under a Unit based in Gorakhpur, which Operate in detachments from Raipur and Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh as Well as Ranchi in Jharkhand. ACM Browne said the new Unit in Nagpur will be "much Closer" to Jagdalpur and consequently would be Able to REACT Faster in an Emergency. "The rules of Engagement (RoE) will, however, REMAIN the same," he said. The RoE specifies that IAF personnel can only open fire in self-defence if their helicopters come under attack. The use of "offensive airpower" has been firmly ruled out because it could lead to heavy collateral damage on the ground. The raising of the new helicopter unit in Nagpur had been decided a couple of months ago, and was Not Connected to Last week's Brutal Attack on Congress leaders in the Sukma District, said the IAF Chief. Defence Minister AK Antony has already ruled out any Move to Deploy the Military in "a direct Combat role" in the Anti-Naxal operations ongoing, though the armed forces' role in PROVIDING logistical Current, Surveillance, training and Advisory Support to the Police troops on the Ground is going to be Expanded. The Army, for instance, has trained as many as 79,000 personnel from the central armed police forces (CAPFs) and state police in counter-insurgency operations, bomb disposal and intelligence-gathering. MoD has remained opposed to any move to drag the armed forces into yet another internal security duty, given that they are already overstretched in Guarding the Long unresolved Borders with Pakistan and China as Well as Counter-insurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast. "Their primary Duty is to Guard the frontiers and Train for war," said an Officer. MoD has rejected calls for Diverting Even a few of the 63 battalions of Rashtriya Rifles, the Army's specialized counter-insurgency force operating in Jammu & Kashmir, or the para-commandos for "selective missions" to tackle Maoism. "The Rashtriya Rifles are needed to maintain the strong counter-insurgency Grid in J & K, "he Added. Any Move to Enlist the Military in the Anti-Naxalite fight will send the wrong Signal that the Indian State is Not in Control of vast swathes in its own heartland. The armed forces, which are trained to kill with heavy force, are also not suitable against adversaries who blend into the civilian population.

Link - IAF to double choppers’ strength for anti-Maoist operations - The Times of India

 

[OrionHunter]

The RoE specifies that IAF personnel can only open fire in self-defence if their helicopters come under attack. The use of "offensive airpower" has been firmly ruled out because it could lead to heavy collateral damage on the ground.

This is plain bullsh!t!! What collateral damage? Maoist camps and their training areas are in the interior jungles, miles from the nearest habitation. So what 'collateral' damage are these clowns talking about?

We need to get some offensive air power to destroy their camps at the earliest. Period! Or be prepared for more of the same.