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New Delhi, Jun 13 :   The Congress Thursday paid tributes to the 13 people killed in the IAF aircraft crash in Arunachal Pradesh, saying the country shall remain indebted to their valiant contributions.

All 13 people on board the AN-32 aircraft which crashed in the state are dead, the IAF said after a team of rescuers searched the wreckage of the plane in a heavily forested mountainous terrain on Thursday.

An IAF official said there were no survivors from the crash of the AN-32 aircraft.

"My salutations and tribute to the air warriors of @IAF_MCC who lost their precious lives in the AN-32 aircraft. Extremely saddened. My deepest condolences to the families of our brave men. Nation shall forever remain indebted to their valiant contributions," Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala tweeted.

Those who died in the crash are Wing Commander G M Charles, Squadron Leader H Vinod, Flight Lieutenants L R Thapa, MK Garg, Ashish Tanwar and Sumit Mohanty, Warrant officer K K Mishra, Sergeant Anoop Kumar, Corporal Sherin, LAC (leading aircraft man) S K Singh, LAC Pankaj, and non combatants Rajesh Kumar and Putali.

The Russian-origin AN-32 aircraft was going from Jorhat in Assam to Menchuka advanced landing ground near the border with China on June 3 when it lost contact around half-an-hour after taking off.

The wreckage of the plane was spotted by an IAF chopper on Tuesday at a height of 12,000 ft near Gatte village on the border of Siang and Shi-Yomi districts, after eight days of a massive search operation involving a fleet of aircraft and choppers as well as ground forces.           [Agencies]



New Delhi, Feb 28 :  The Indian Air Force Thursday said it is very happy that captured pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman is returning home but dismissed suggestions that it was a goodwill gesture, insisting it was in line with the Geneva Conventions


"We are very happy Abhinandan will be freed tomorrow and look forward to his return," Air Vice Marshal R G K Kapoor, assistant chief of Air Staff, told a news conference. 

Varthaman's MiG 21 was shot and he bailed out after bringing down two Pakistani F-16 fighters during a dogfight to repel a Pakistani attack on Wednesday morning, he said. He has been in Pakistan since then. 

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced in Parliament on Thursday that Varthaman would be released on Friday as a "peace gesture"

Asked if the IAF sees it as a goodwill move, he said, "We see it as a gesture in consonance with the Geneva Conventions." 

He was addressing the media along with the representatives of the Army and the Navy, who both said the armed forces are on high alert and ready to meet any security challenge on land and sea

Tensions between the two countries escalated after Indian fighters bombed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp near Balakot deep inside Pakistan early Tuesday. It came 12 days after the JeM claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Kashmir, killing 40 soldiers

Kapoor said it was up to the political leadership to decide when and how to release evidence of the Balakot strike's success. 

He was responding to a question that there was some scepticism about whether IAF fighters had hit the intended targets

Kapoor said there is credible information and evidence that "we hit the intended targets" and it was premature to assess the casualties and damage.                   [Agencies]


Mumbai, Feb 26 :  Lata Mangeshkar, Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar are some of the Indian film personalities who hailed the Indian armed forces for carrying out air strikes on terror launch pads in Pakistan on Tuesday.

The strike comes amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan following the February 14 suicide attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group in Kashmir's Pulwama district that killed 40 CRPF soldiers. 

The celebrities took to social media to share their reactions.

"I have been watching since morning and I'm very happy that our armed forces are so prepared and strong. I always say that India is there because of our armed forces. We live in this country and are very fortunate," Mangeshkar told a news channel. 

"Respect @IAF_MCC Indian Air Force... Jai ho !!!," Salman wrote on Twitter.

Kumar said he is proud of the Indian Air Force for "destroying terror camps". 

"Enter their territory and hit them! Quiet no more! #IndiaStrikesBack," he wrote on Twitter.

Ajay Devgn praised the IAF and tweeted "Mess with the best, die like the rest". He tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his tweet.

Anupam Kher wrote, "#BharatMataKiJai" and followed it with a reply to Congress president Rahul Gandhi's response to the air strikes, saying "Today will be a good day to start saluting Prime Minister @narendramodi too." 

Producer Ekta Kapoor said, "Yay! May the force be with the INDIAN FORCES!"

South actor Mahesh Babu? wrote, "Extremely proud of our #IndianAirForce. Salutes to the brave pilots of IAF." 

"Salute to the #IndianAirForce for their indomitable spirit in keeping our country safe! Let us all pray for their safety. Jai Hind," Dutt wrote.

South stars-turned-politicians Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan also hailed the strikes.

"BRAVO INDIA!" tweeted Rajinikanth.

India is proud of its heroes, wrote Haasan on the microblogging.

"Our 12 return safely home after wreaking havoc on terrorist camps in Pakistan... I salute their valour," he added.

"Uri" star Yami Gautam?, Vivek Oberoi, Sonu Sood, Sonakshi Sinha and Suniel Shetty wrote "Jai Hind".

Filmmaker Rahul Dholakia thanked the IAF for their service.

"You are fighting to protect and save us by destroying and finishing terror camps - Thank You IAF. Jai Hind," Dholakia wrote.

Strikes involving several fighter jets of the IAF successfully destroyed camps belonging to Pakistan-based terror outfits in Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.              [Agencies]


New Delhi, Feb 26 :  Hundreds of Fifty and their trainers were shifted from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir to a five-star, resort style camp in a hilltop forest in Balakot after the Pulwama attack, providing Indian forces with "a sitting duck target" when they carried out an air strike early Tuesday, killing up to 350 terrorists, sources said. 

They said at least 325 terrorists and 25 to 27 trainers were at the camp, the biggest operated by the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad group, which had claimed responsibility for the February 14 suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama, Kashmir that killed 40 jawans.

Everyone at the camp was sleeping and Pakistani defence establishment had no clue that the attack was coming so deep into their country because they had expected a surgical strike on camps in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir near the Line of Control, said the sources. 

But India received intelligence that JeM had shifted many in-training terrorists and hardcore operatives, along with their trainers, to the Balakot camp, which has facilities for 500 to 700 people, and even has a swimming pool along with cooks and cleaners. 

Fighter and other aircraft took off from several air bases in Western and Central commands at about the same time, leaving Pakistani defence officials confused as to where they were heading, the sources said. A small group of aircraft broke away from the swarm and headed to Balakot where "the sleeping terrorists were sitting ducks for the Indian bombing," said one source. 

"They had no idea that Balakot was to be the target ... when the pictures come in you will see only khandhar (ruins) of the once-flourishing camp", said the source.

The terror camp is located 20 kms from Balakot town.

Balakot is some 80 km from the Line of Control near Abbotabad where Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed in hiding by covert U.S. forces who had also sneaked into Pakistan to carry out the operation, catching the entire Pakistani military unawares.                   [Agencies]


Kolkata, Feb 26 :  West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday hailed the Indian Air Force (IAF) for carrying out air strikes in Pakistan.

"IAF also means India's Amazing Fighters. Jai Hind," Banerjee tweeted.

India carried ou t air strikes inside Pakistan early Tuesday and targeted terror camps, official sources said.

Several fighter jets of the Indian Air Force successfully destroyed camps belonging to Pakistan-basedterror outfits in Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, they said.                  [Agencies]


Srinagar, Feb 26 :  Tension was palpable in Kashmir on Tuesday after Indian Air Force fighter jets struck terror camps deep inside the territory of the neighbouring country.

Residents of Srinagar and other major towns in the valley could be seen discussing in small groups the fallout of the IAF's pre-dawn strikes inside the Pakistani territory.

"We hope that it ends here and there is no more escalation. If there is escalation in hostilities, it will be the people on either side of the Line of Control who will suffer the most," Abdul Gani Dar (80), who has witnessed all wars between India and Pakistan, said.

Many residents, including former chief minister Omar Abdullah, took to social media to express their fears about the possibility of a full blown confrontation between the two nuclear powers.

"The problem now becomes PM Imran Khan's commitment to his country - 'Pakistan will not think about responding, Pakistan WILL respond'. What shape will response take? Where will response be? Will India have to respond to Pakistan's response?" Abdullah wrote on his Twitter handle.

Residents of Kashmir had gone on a hoarding spree after the government launched a crackdown on separatists and Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir cadres last week. 

The move was followed by the deployment of 100 additional companies of paramilitary forces in the valley.

Governor Satya Pal Malik had on Sunday allayed fears of the people, saying it was only an election-related exercise and there was no reason to panic.

In an apparent dig, Abdullah said the reports about an Indian Air Force C17 Globemaster III flying over Jammu and Kashmir was about election duty and had nothing to do with the air strikes in Pakistan.

"It's sitting in Srinagar offloading paramilitary forces to deal with internal security & election duty. Has nothing to do with the airstrike in to Pakistan this morning," the National Conference leader said.

Meanwhile, the officials said security forces have been asked to remain on alert as the NIA is carrying out raids on residences of some top separatist leaders and their sympathisers.

Security forces have been deployed in strength in vulnerable areas of the city as officials expect protests against the raids.                     [Agencies]


Srinagar, Feb 26 :  National Conference leader Omar Abdullah Tuesday said the strikes carried out by the Indian Air Force on JeM camps is a "totally new ball game" as it was first time that air power was used during peace time to hit terrorist targets in the neighbouring country. 

"We've entered a whole new paradigm with the Balakote air strike. The post Uri strike was to avenge our losses, Balakote was a 'preemptive strike to prevent an imminent JeM attack'. Totally new ballgame," Abdullah tweeted.

The former chief minister was reacting to the statement made by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale in New Delhi that India conducted a major preemptive strike on Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest camp early Tuesday to prevent suicide attacks being planned by the Pakistan-based terror group, killing a large number of terrorists and trainers. 

"A number of firsts from Balakote, the two most obvious are the first time air power has been used to strike inside Pakistan during peace times (last time in 1971 was during war) & first time visible, acknowledged use of force to preempt a perceived terror strike," Abdullah added.

Reacting to the developments, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti expressed hope that the "objectives" of both New Delhi and Islamabad had been served as they were making contradictory claims about the air strikes.

"Post pre-dawn strikes carried out by IAF, conflicting reports coming in. Official communique by FS claims that terror training camps were bombed while Pak denied this & said that the planes made a hasty retreat after being spotted. Hope objective of both sides has been served," she said in a tweet.
       [Agencies]

Chandigarh, Oct 8: The 86th anniversary of Indian Air Force was celebrated Monday at Air Force Station here.

Air Commodore S Srinivasan, Air Officer Commanding Air Force Station Chandigarh, laid a wreath while paying tribute to the martyrs, a IAF spokesman said here.

It was followed by oath taking ceremony by all the personnel at the IAF station, he said.

On this occasion, Air Commodore S Srinivasan, urged all the air warriors to re-dedicate themselves to the service of the nation and work with renewed vigour for achievement of assigned task.

He also conveyed his best wishes to all air warriors and their families.
 (PTI)


Tirupati (AP), Aug 3: Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe offered prayers at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala town today.

The 69-year-old Wickremesinghe, dressed in traditional attire and accompanied by wife Maithree and a few Sri Lankan officials, visited the shrine this morning, a temple official told.

On arrival, he was accorded a traditional welcome by priests and top officials of the temple, administered by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.

Wickremesinghe here on a 20-hour spiritual visit, flew in from Chennai by an IAF helicopter last evening.

This is his third visit as Sri Lanka's prime minister to the hill shrine after previously coming here in 2002 and 2016.

Tight security arrangements were put in place in view of the visit to Tirumala hills.
 (PTI)

Stresses on spreading safety awareness
JAMMU, JUNE 30: Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Sanjeev Verma today reviewed   disaster and flood preparedness here at a high-level meeting.
The meeting was attended by IGP Dr S D Singh, Commissioner, JMC, Ramesh Kumar, Director FCS&CA Jammu, RAInqalabi, Joint Director Information Jammu, Naresh Kumar besides senior functionaries of Police, IAF, SDRF, I&FC, CRPF, Health and other departments.
During the meeting, the Div Com assessed the preparedness of concerned departments for the crisis management ahead of the monsoon. He directed the concerned authorities to gear up their men and machinery and utilize the services of volunteers and organizations to take prompt action during occurrence of any kind of disaster.
Calling for coordinated efforts and pooling of resources, the Div Com asked the concerned departments and defence forces to conduct mock drills and work as a one cohesive unit to overcome shortcomings and create a common platform for communication.
Stressing on spreading safety awareness among the population living in flood prone areas, the Div Com directed for preparing advance advisories for taking prompt action in case of emergency. He asked the Director, FSC & CA to stock the sufficient quantity of food and LPG stocks.
The Div Com also took stock of availability of machinery for road clearance and other rescue works and the crises management resources to channelize the proper mechanism for rescue operations. He emphasized on putting more focus on the hilly and vulnerable areas and taking quick action to minimize any damage.
The Div Com asked the concerned functionaries to prepare informative video representations on how to install tents, prepare rafts and other rescue equipments.
Nashik, Jun 27 : A Sukhoi aircraft crashed near here this morning, police said. There were no casualties, police said, adding both the pilots ejected safely before the plane hit ground.

The under-production Sukhoi Su-30MKI twinjet multirole air superiority fighter of HAL crashed at Wavi-Tushi village near Pimpalgaon Baswant town, around 25 km from Nashik, police said.

The aircraft crashed at 11.05 am and the Pimpalgaon police station received information about the crash at 11.15 am, a police official told PTI.

The aircraft, developed by Russia's Sukhoi and built under licence by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), had taken off from the HAL airstrip near Nashik, police said.

The IAF personnel at Ojhar Air Force station have rushed to the site, police said.   PTI



Chennai, Apr 13: BAE Systems and Kalyani group are exploring the possibility of supplying the compact and low-weight Bofors 40 MK4 guns to the Indian Air Force for providing security at its bases across the country.
At present IAF relies upon Army's weapon systems for security and protection at its bases but Bofors 40MK4 which is essentially a Naval gun system can be fixed on the ground for the requirements of the air force, defence industry sources said.
Bofors 40 Mk4 Naval Gun is a flexible, multi-purpose system offering a high rate of fire and the ability to switch between optimised ammunition types, including the programmable 40-mm 3P all-target ammunition. The system’s effectiveness against air, sea, and ground targets provides high survivability and tactical proficiency at all levels of conflict. The gun can fire up to 300 rounds per minute and has search radar to track and identify the target at an aerial distance of 12 kms.
Though Bofors 40MK4 is displayed at Kalyani group's stall in the ongoing Defexpo 2018, initial talks between BAE Systems and the Kalyani group are still to fructify. Exploratory discussions have gone on between BAE Systems and the Kalyani group over the past year for partnering with the aim of assembling, manufacturing and supplying the gun system to armed forces and may take firm shape by 2020. BAE System has supplied the gun system to Finland and Brazil.
Efforts to tighten security at all military bases and make it foolproof were particularly intensified after the attack on the Air Force base in Pathankot on January 2, 2016, the then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had informed Parliament that some Pakistani non-state actors were responsible for the Pathankot attack adding they could not have carried it out without the support of the Pakistani establishment.
In the past two years, terrorists have been able to mount attacks on the camps of para-military forces and the Army in Jammu and Kashmir, often leading to long-drawn encounters and loss of innocent lives as well as causing casualties to the armed forces.
“Intelligence was received indicating the Pathankot Army installation as a suspected attack point. We have now done security audit also in addition to the normal security, and are in the process of ensuring that all army installations will be properly secured,' Mr Parrikar had told the Rajya Sabha. UNI


Patna, Apr 10: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on a day visit to Bihar to attend a function at Motihari being organised to mark the end of year long centenary celebrations of Champaran Satyagrah movement. 
Mr Modi was received by Bihar Governor Satyapal Malik, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi at Patna airport. Soon after arrival, PM left for Motihari in a chopper of Indian Air Force (IAF) accompanied by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. 
After attending the concluding function of centenary celebrations of Champaran Satyagrah movement, Mr Modi will return to Patna Airport at around 2 PM and soon after he will leave for New Delhi. UNI


New Delhi, Apr 6: The government on Friday issued a fresh request for information (RFI) for procurement of 110 fighter aircrafts for the Indian Air Force.
Out of which, 75 per cent will be of single seat and rest to be double seat jets, the Ministry of Defence said.
The IAF will procure 15 per cent of aircrafts in a flyway condition while rest to be manufactured here by a strategic partner or Indian Production Agency.
There is a need of 42 squadrons of the IAF but it is left with only 31.
After issuing RFI for both the single seater, double seater, all fighter jet makers across the globe would be able to compete for selling 110 fighters to India.
Issuing RFI is the first step to acquiring a weapons platform.
It will be followed by request for proposal (RPF) or a formal tender.
After then evaluations, technical trials and commercial negotiations will be initiated.
The jets are intended as Day and night capable, all weather multirole combat aircraft which can be used for air superiority, Air defence, Air to surface operation, reconnaissance, maritime and buddy refuelling. UNI


New Delhi/Kedarnath, Apr 3: An Indian Air Force (IAF) chopper Mi-17 V crashed near Kedarnath in Uttarakhand on Tuesday morning.
'Today morning, around 0810 hrs, one Mi-17 V5 helicopter of IAF crashed near Kedarnath. All persons on-board are safe,' IAF spokesperson said.
The Russian-origin transport helicopter caught fire after colliding with an iron girder while attempting to land at the helipad.
A Court of Inquiry has been formed to ascertain the cause of the accident. UNI 


Chennai, Mar 23: A mock aircraft crash drill, using drones for the first time, was conducted at the SRM University Campus at suburban Kattankulathur in association with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) on Friday.
The mock aircraft crash was done to simulate the search and rescue operations.
Search and rescue operation was carried out once a year at various airports and this year the mock exercise was held at Chennai and the AAI has partnered with SRM Institute of Science and Technology to conduct the search and rescue mission. 
The mock drill was done to test the defence preparedness of various agencies in the event of any contingency/disaster and also to improve the coordination between various agencies that included, Coast Guard, IAF, Navy, health, fire, police departments, INMCC, various NGOs and SRM. 
This was the first time drones were used for the Search and rescue operation for an aircraft, a release from SRMIST said. 
To make it possible for the rescue team to inspect the area from above and to accomplish it, a drone, designed by a 20-member Team (SRM SCRO), was used for the search operation. 
The drone was capable of carrying two kg payload having imaging and transmission system, which transmits the live feed video (4K resolution) to the ground station, from where it was transmitted to ATC (Air Traffic Control). 
Soon after the aircraft 'crash' took place, the GPS signal would be transmitted to the satellite and the ATC authorities would get the GPS coordinate in terms of minutes accuracy(1.85km). 
To improve positioning accuracy and identifying the proper location and condition of the crash area, the ATC authorities calls for the drone assistance by providing the GPS coordinate. 
Since the area is 1.85 km, the area mapping algorithm was utilised to map the given GPS location with two meter location accuracy. 
The drone was made to fly and map the entire area, when the ATC authorities identify the crashed airplane in live feed video.
The respective GPS coordinates in seconds accuracy (20 meter) and the rescue sent to the crash site for taking up the rescue operation. UNI


New Delhi, Mar 20: An Indian Air Force (IAF)Advance Hawk Jet trainer aircraft crashed in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha on Tuesday. The pilot was injured while evicting and has been admitted to hospital.
IAF sources said, the trainer aircraft took off from Kalaikunda air base and crashed around noon. The pilot was said to be on routine sorties.
A Court of Inquiry has been ordered into the incident. UNI


New Delhi, Feb 15: An Indian Air Force (IAF) microlight aircraft on Thursday crashed near Majuli river island district of Assam, killing two pilots.
“The crash took place at around 12 in the afternoon when the helicopter was on its routine sortie from Jorhat Air Force station,” Indian Air Force sources said.
Rescue teams are at the crash site.
An inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.
Today around 12 noon a microlight aircraft airborne from Jorhat for a routine sortie crashed. Both pilots sustained fatal injuries. A CoI has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident. UNI


New Delhi, Jan 11: After scaling Mt Vinson in Antarctica, Indian Air Force (IAF) has become the first organisation to accomplish the “Seven Summit”, climbing the highest mountains of each of the seven continents.
Mt Vinson, standing tall at 16050 feet, is the most prestine and remotest mountain on earth.
Congratulating the IAF mountaineering expedition team, Chief of IAF ACM BS Dhanoa said, “We feel proud of our air warriors, who flied Indian Flag and Indian Air Force flag atop of the Mt Vinson. I am sure that this endeavour will motivate many more warriors beyond them.”
He also said, “The expedition was conducted in a very matured and balanced way and has created history for India and IAF.”
Sharing his experience of this expedition, Group Captain RC Tripathi who was also the team leader said, “Since Antarctica was new to us we had fear but at the same time we were more prepared and had high level of confidence. Weather condition was very cold, wind was blowing at a speed of 40-100 km. We had to cut short our planning and expedition to three days. First we moved to Mt Vinson camp by IL 76 then to low camp and subsequently to high camp.”
Gp Capt Tripathi had also flied the tri-colour and IAF flag on the highest peaks of other six continents.
Before Mt Vinson, he had been to Mt Everest in 2005 in Nepal, Indonesia's Mt Carstenz Pyramid, Russia's Mt Elbrus, South Africa's Mt Kilimanjaro, Argentina's Mt Aconcagua and Alaska's Mt McKinley/ Denali.
Further he added, “We would like to dedicate our conquering to Seven Summits to our Squadron Leader SS Chaitanya who died after blown off in 2005. He was in our team to Mt Everest expedition. Also, we would like to dedicate to Sergeant Shantanu died recently.”
The concept of Seven Summits came after scaling of Mt Everest in 2005, the IAF launched a unique and unprecedented series of mountaineering expeditions 'Mission Seven Summits' with an aim to fly tricolour and IAF flag on the highest peaks in every continent.
Before leaving for expedition on December 13, 2017, the team had completed pre-expedition training and acclimatisation in Leh and Siachen from November 24 to December 3. UNI


Hyderabad, Nov 24: An IAF Kiran Aircraft on a routine training mission crashed in Siddipet district about 50 km from Air Force Station, Hakimpet on Friday.
In a statement here, Defence Public Relations Officer G Surendra Babu said that the trainee pilot ejected safely. A Court of Inquiry (CoI) has been ordered to investigate the incident, the statement added. UNI