IAF Chief on Balakot strikes: Air Force does not count human casualties, we count targets hit or missed

Amid the ever growing speculations in the political circles over what were the estimated casualties inflicted by the Indian Air Force air strike on the JeM camp based out of Balakot in Pakistan occupied Kashmir, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa came out with a statement on Monday stating that IAF is not in a position to clarify the number of casualties.

By : ABP News Bureau | Updated at : 04 Mar 2019 02:05 PM (IST)

IAF Chief on Balakot air strikes: Air Force does not count human casualties, we count targets hit or missed IAF Chief on Balakot strikes: Air Force does not count human casualties, we count targets hit or missed

Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa (PTI)

Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa on Monday said that IAF is not in a position to clarify the number of casualties inflicted by strikes on JeM Balakot terror camp.

IAF Chief Dhanoa said that Wing Commander Abhinandan could resume duties as a fighter pilot subject to clearing his medical fitness test.

Commenting on the type of aircraft used by IAF in combat operations, the Air Chief said it depends on the situation and nature of attack by the enemy.

New Delhi: Amid the ever growing speculations in the political circles over what were the estimated casualties inflicted by the Indian Air Force air strike on the JeM camp based out of Balakot in Pakistan occupied Kashmir, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa came out with a statement on Monday stating that IAF is not in a position to clarify the number of casualties. He added that it was the prerogative of the government to clarify on the same. Addressing his first press briefing after the Balakot air strikes, the Air Chief said that the Indian Air Force does count human casualties when they execute an operation. Instead they count what targets have been hit or not. Replying to a question on what fighter jets were used to repulse the Pakistani fighter jets that violated the Indian Air Space along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, the IAF Chief said that it depends on the situation and nature of operation. He said that if it is a planned operation, you can pick the best aircrafts you have in your arsenal. However if 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.

Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa on air strikes: 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. pic.twitter.com/Ji3Z6JqReB
— ANI (@ANI) March 4, 2019

Responding to a question on when could Wing Commander Abhinandan resume duties as a fighter pilot, the Air Chief said that it clearly depends on his medical fitness. He said that the pilot underwent medical treatment to get back to full fitness post the mental and physical trauma caused post ejection. Whatever treatment is required, it will be given to him. Once we get his medical fitness, he will get into fighter cockpit.He said that the Indian Air Force does not make any compromises with the fitness standards of pilots.

Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa:Whether he (Wing Commander #Abhinandan) flies or not depends on his medical fitness. That's why post ejection, he has undergone medical check. Whatever treatment required, will be given. Once we get his medical fitness, he will get into fighter cockpit pic.twitter.com/2ykp5aon3h
— ANI (@ANI) March 4, 2019

The Indian Air Force on February 26 had conducted pre-emptive air strike on three JeM terrorist camps in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) to avenge the Pulwama attack in which over 40 CRPF personnel were killed. It was the first time after the 1971 Ind-Pak war that that Indian jets had flown deep into Pakistan territory to carry out strikes. Following India’s air strike, the Pakistani Air Force had also violated Indian air space and attempted to bomb military installations along the Line of Control in India, but its fighter jets were scrambled back by IAF. The Indian Air Force MiG even shot down a US built F-16 fighter jet used by the Pakistani Air Force to strike India.