Pak. troop build-up being studied: Air Chief

By Atul Aneja

NEW DELHI, FEB. 11. The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal A. Y. Tipnis, today said that the security agencies were determining the exact intent behind the Pakistani build-up across the Line of Control, but pointed out that there was no cause for any ``undue anxiety''.

Confirming a higher Pakistani troop profile across the LoC at a press-conference today, the Air Chief said he did not have authentic information on whether it was ``part of an exercise or it is part of their game-plan''.

He pointed out that an ``intelligence assessment is being done by us. I don't know what is their strength as formally assessed by our intelligence.'' The tri-service Chiefs of Staff Committee met during the day to take stock of the situation. Pointing out that there was no slackening in preparedness, the Air Chief said, ``there is nothing we are going to be taken unawares of. We are always on guard and whatever action is required to be taken will be taken. I don't think there is undue anxiety by us at this stage.''

According to the Air Chief, the Indian Air Force would undertake ``Vijay Chakra'', a major joint exercise with the Army, from tonight. The IAF would induct airborne troops in these manoeuvres in the Punjab and Haryana area. The IAF was re-evaluating its concepts on maritime strikes during the on-going joint exercises with the Navy. Code- named Springex-2000, these manoeuvres with the Navy would see the IAF reviewing its tactical doctrine on neutralising maritime strike aircraft. It would also carry out air patrols so that an adequate defence umbrella to Indian warships could be provided.

The reassessment of the doctrine to neutralise maritime strike planes had assumed additional importance in the light of Pakistan acquiring highly capable P3C Orion planes from the U.S. During the exercise, the IAF would also test its capability to carry out surveillance sorties at night. Besides, its ability to jam communication of hostile planes and shipping would be put on trial.

Referring to the lessons learnt from the Kargil conflict, the Air Chief said an in-house study had recommended that the IAF should go in for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and sophisticated equipment for high-altitude warfare. The Air Chief, who has just returned from Bangladesh, said New Delhi and Dhaka should increase inter-services cooperation and linkages.

Bangladesh, he said, had recently acquired MiG-29 aircraft and had indicated a tie-up with India in maintaining these planes, besides the Mi-17 helicopters which were also of Russian origin. Bangladeshi authorities were also seeking Indian help for training instructors. During his visit, the Air Chief Marshal presented to his Bangladeshi counterpart, Air Vice Marshal Jamaluddin Ahmed, three Indian fighter aircraft which had taken part in Bangladesh's `liberation war' of 1971.

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