Chief of Air staff not in favor of using IAF against Maoists

Indian Air Chief Marshall P.V.Naik on Wednesday said he was not in favor of direct use of Indian Air Force against Maoist menace. Naik was talking with the media at Gandhinagar based South Western Air Command(SWAQ) Head Quarter.

“In situations like the Naxal problem, I am not in favor of using Indian Air Force, of course it is prerogative of the state if the situation reaches that level, they can order us anytime. They(the Maoists) are our own citizens, until I have absolute 100% intelligence that they are enemy, it is not fair to use the Air force in such role,” said the Chief of Air staff.

The Air Chief Marshall met Gujarat Governor Dr. Kamla Beniwal and presented her a memento. On Tuesday on the first day of his two-day visit to Gujarat, Naik inaugurated the annual commanders’ conference.

All commanders of the Air Force units under SWAC in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh are attending the conference to discuss operational, maintenance and administrative aspects and achievements during the year.

Naik arrived here after inaugurating the new air base with modern infrastructure at Phalodi in Rajasthan on Tuesday. The new air base, located between Jaisalmer and Jodhpur is of strategic importance as this will bridge the gap in air defence in the western sector.