IAF only keeps tabs on targets, it is for government to clarify on casualties; confusion persists even as Prakash Javadekar claims toll was more than 350, upping the 250 score given by Amit Shah
New Delhi: Refusing to be dragged into the political slugfest over the casualty count at Balakot in Pakistan, Air Chief Marshal B S Danoa on Monday told a press conference that it is up to the government to release the figures. Steering clear of the controversy, he said that the air force does not count the number of the dead but only the targets they have been asked to hit. “The IAF is not in a position to clarify the number of casualties.
The government will clarify that. We don’t count human casualties, we count what targets we have hit or not,” Dhanoa said.
His statement comes amid silence from the government on the exact casualty figures after the IAF struck. While PM Modi has accused the opposition parties of playing into the hands of Pakistan by pretending that there were no casualties, BJP president Amit Shah claimed in Ahmedabad on Sunday that at least 250 terrorists were killed in the IAF action.
In Mumbai, Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar on Monday upped the figure to more than 350. “Pakistan accepted that Indian planes entered its air space, and not just Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. A terror camp was functioning in the garb of a madrassa, where more 350 terrorists were being trained, including 12 chief commanders and 25 master trainers,” he said.
The Congress retaliated with its chief spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala daring the BJP to tell the truth to the nation. “Your central ministers (the reference was to S S Ahluwalia) are claiming that there were no casualties and the purpose was to only send a message to Pakistan.
If that is not true, the PM must tell nation what is the truth,” he tweeted.Citing international media reports, which have said there is “no proof of terrorists being killed in Balakot,” Congress leader and former union Minister Kapil Sibal questioned the definite numbers put forth by some BJP leaders like Shah and Javadekar. “Your (BJP) ministers are claiming 300 people killed, 400 people killed.
Where did they get this information, or is it in sync with a particular thought that it will help them in the Lok Sabha elections,” Sibal asked. IAF chief Dhanoa made another point: he said if the IAF jets had merely dropped bombs in a jungle, Pakistan would not have responded. But there were few takers for this claim with defence exerts pointing out that Pakistan retaliated because India had trespassed deep into their air space.
On Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman stepping in the cockpit again, Dhanoa said his medical fitness will determine the issue. “Whether he flies or not depends on his medical fitness. That’s why post ejection, he has undergone extensive medical examination. Whatever treatment is required, will be given.
Once he is declared medically fit, he will get into a fighter cockpit,” Dhanoa said. The air chief, when asked why a second generation MiG-21 had engaged in a dog fight with a more powerful and advanced F-16 fighter jet, said the former is an upgraded aircraft with advanced weapon system.
“The Mig-21 Bison is a capable aircraft. It has been upgraded and has better radar, air-to-air missiles and a better weapons system.” Moreover, when an adversary strikes back, every available fighter goes in, irrespective of which aircraft it is. All aircraft are capable of fighting the enemy,” he asserted.