NEW DELHI: Indian Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa addressed the media in Coimbatore on Monday, in the aftermath of the aerial strikes conducted by the Indian Air Force in Pakistan’s Balakot.
Responding to a question on Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was arrested by Pakistan Army and released, Indian Air Chief was asked if the IAF pilot will return to service, at which he replied that it all depends on Abhinandan’s medical fitness.
“Once we get his medical fitness, he will get into a fighter’s cockpit.” He added.
The Indian Air Chief in an attempt to justify IAF’s violation of LOC's regulations said that the IAF hit a target and not ‘drop bombs in the jungle' otherwise Pakistan’s Prime Minister would not have reacted adversely.
Dhanoa’s remarks come amid a lack of clarity on the exact details of the strike.
Answering a question on the efficacy of the attack, Dhanoa said that the air force had conducted successful raids but he refused to comment on the number of casualties inflicted, saying that this was the government’s prerogative.
“The government will clarify that. We don't count human casualties, we count what targets we have hit or not,” he said.
The government has refused to comment on the details of the attack – on JeM’s biggest training camp in Balakot on 26 February.
Speaking on the capability of the MiG-21 Bison, which was used in the air strike, Dhanoa said that the MiG-21 used in the dog fight with Pakistan’s F-16 was an upgraded aircraft with an advanced weapons system.
“All aircraft are capable of fighting the enemy," when an adversary strikes, he added, every available aircraft goes in, irrespective of which aircraft it is.