'We hit the target': Why would Pakistan respond if we had dropped bombs in jungle, IAF chief says
TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Updated: Mar 4, 2019, 14:07 ISTHighlights
- MiG21 used in dog fight with Pakistan F-16 is an upgraded aircraft with advanced weapons system
- The death toll depends on the number of people present in the target, IAF doesn't count number of dead
- We don't take chances with medical fitness of a pilot; if Abhinandan is fit he will fly a fighter jet
Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa (Photo: ANI)
NEW DELHI: Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa on Monday said the "target was hit" during the recent
air strike on terrorist camps
+ of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Pakistan by India.
Addressing a press conference, the Air Chief Marshal said the target has been clearly amplified by the foreign secretary in his statement.
"If we plan to hit the target, we hit the target, otherwise why would he (Pakistan PM) have responded + , if we dropped bombs in the jungles why would he respond," he asked.
He added the Indian Air Force (IAF) is not in a position to clarify the number of casualties. "The government will clarify that. We don't count human casualties," he said.
Responding to a question, Dhanoa said, "The Mig-21 Bison is a capable aircraft, it has been upgraded; it has better radar, air-to air missiles and better weapons system."
"One is a planned operation in which you plan and carry out an operation. But when an adversary does a strike on you, every available aircraft goes in, irrespective of which aircraft it is. All aircraft are capable of fighting the enemy," he added.
On being asked if Wing Commander Abhinandan flies again or not + , he said, "Whether he flies or not depends on his medical fitness. That's why post ejection, he has undergone medical check. Whatever treatment is required, will be given. Once we get his medical fitness, he will get into fighter cockpit again."
India conducted air strike at a Jaish-e-Mohammed terror camp in Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on February 26.
Addressing a press conference, the Air Chief Marshal said the target has been clearly amplified by the foreign secretary in his statement.
"If we plan to hit the target, we hit the target, otherwise why would he (Pakistan PM) have responded + , if we dropped bombs in the jungles why would he respond," he asked.
He added the Indian Air Force (IAF) is not in a position to clarify the number of casualties. "The government will clarify that. We don't count human casualties," he said.
Responding to a question, Dhanoa said, "The Mig-21 Bison is a capable aircraft, it has been upgraded; it has better radar, air-to air missiles and better weapons system."
"One is a planned operation in which you plan and carry out an operation. But when an adversary does a strike on you, every available aircraft goes in, irrespective of which aircraft it is. All aircraft are capable of fighting the enemy," he added.
On being asked if Wing Commander Abhinandan flies again or not + , he said, "Whether he flies or not depends on his medical fitness. That's why post ejection, he has undergone medical check. Whatever treatment is required, will be given. Once we get his medical fitness, he will get into fighter cockpit again."
India conducted air strike at a Jaish-e-Mohammed terror camp in Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on February 26.
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