New Delhi: The Indian Air Force is carrying out regular sorties of its frontline fighter jet Su 30 MKI in the Ladakh region amid new border tensions with China but no aircraft was rushed last week after two Chinese choppers were spotted close to the Line of Actual Control, sources said Tuesday.
News agency ANI, quoting government sources, reported Tuesday that the Chinese military helicopters were flying very close to the Line of Actual Control last week and “after their movement was picked up, the Indian Air Force fighter jets flew patrols in the area”.
The report said IAF was “forced to rush” fighter jets.
While there was no official word from the IAF Tuesday, defence sources said that it was an overstatement to say jets were scrambled since fighters regularly fly in the region.
“Helicopters are allowed to fly till the border on both sides. There has been no violation of Indian air space. And never have jets been scrambled in the past for helicopters in the northern sector,” said an IAF officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
He also said that no fighters were scrambled but training flights have been going on.
“If you are asking whether the jets were scrambled, then no. If you are asking if Sukhois were flying on May 5 and 6, I would say regular training flights are taking place, including today,” he added.
The reports come amid new tensions between India and China after soldiers from both sides clashed on the border last week, leaving many injured in fist fights and stone pelting. While the two sides have officially disengaged on 6 May, both have rushed additional troops to the Pangong Tso lake area.
Also read: Not much has changed for IAF a year after it was outgunned by Pakistan
IAF deployment
The IAF maintains two main bases in Ladakh — Leh and Thoise air bases. Fighter jets are not deployed at the Thoise air base while at Leh, detachments from various squadrons are operational on rotation throughout the year.
However, sources said that no Su 30 MKI was based in Leh on 5 and 6 May but they were flying from another location.
Sources said that two Chinese choppers were indeed spotted flying in their area just like the Indian helicopters do in that region.
According to the ANI report, the Chinese choppers did not cross the LAC into Indian territory in that particular area.
While there have been tensions at the LAC in the past, which have resulted in physical clashes between the two countries’ soldiers, this is the first time in years the IAF has come into the picture.
ThePrint had earlier reported that though the countries had officially disengaged, additional forces were brought in to ensure no more violence takes place in the area, just as it had been done in Doklam in August 2017.
While disengagement happened in Doklam, both sides have continued with their build-up a few metres away from their face-off location.
Also read: Operation Juniper — inside story of how Indian Army pushed China back from Doklam
Ginger tea
The Dictator movie any one?
Chengez. China made fellow..
Have you ever checked your product reviews in other countries
Why are not accepting shoot down of 2 MIG21 & captured of WING COMMANDER ABHI NANDHAN although your officers received him at WAGAH BORDET.
It’s really likes by every Indians whether resident or non resident when they watched in Indian electronic media, read in Indian news papers or listened long lectures presss conferences from Indian spokesperson, foreign affairs ministry spokesperson or their own butcher (please after Gujrat masscarre of Muslims even the USA refused to issue visa to MODI at that time he was Chief MINISTER of Gujrat) prime monter modi that Indian Air Force shoot down a F-16 although even no independent sources of any internal agency has ever accepted their it’s false claims.
But silent when asked them IAF how Pakistan Air Force Shaheen shot down 2 MIG 21 & CAPTURED ALIVE
WING COMMANDER ABDHI NANDAN
& the all world including Indian citizens with disheartening watch such video in their electronic median channels and social media.
Apney moun mian mithou bannay Kee aadat chorro.
By the way during the last 72 years you are unable to control LOCAL FREEDOM FIGHTER OF INDIAN HELD OCCUPIED KASHMIR WITH 900,000 INDIAN ARMED FORCES WHO HAS ARTILLERY, INFANTARY, GUNSHIP HELUCOPTERS ETC ETC.
SO, NOW FORGET SUCH ALL THING OTHERWISE I ONLY REMIND YOU ASIA CRICKET CUP FINAL IN DHAKA WHERE TIGER SHAHID KHAN AFRIDI HIT TWO CONSECUTIVE SIXES AND SNATCHED VICTORY FROM YOUR INSIDE OF JAWS.
It’s now PRIME MINISTER IMRAN KHAN WHO INTRODUCE NEUTRAL UMPIRE IN CRICKETS AND TIGER CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF BAJWA, BY THE WAY DONT FORGET SONS OF THE SOILS
I S I nightmares to all RAW, MOSAD, NDA, MI5, MI6, FBI, CIA and you Indians gives the name
This is the fear of China.
All of the Indian media was boosting about scambling the SU-30s and now the IAF is giving the explanation that NO NO NO NO it was not scrambling. Please don’t consider it scambling and come to shoot our few jets as Pakistan did on Feb 27th.
I’ve told you guys many times that India can’t dare to attack or show balls unless India has 10 to 1 numerical superiority. India believed that it had this over Pakistan and attacked on 26th but when the response came on 27th Feb, India never retaliated again even after loosing 2 jets and one MI-17.
I wonder from where you Pakistani people get so much of confidence. Boss check history 4 times we have defeated you.
5th largest economy in world
3rd country in world which is having maximum no of engineers and doctors in world.
It would be better for you guys to concentrate on your country instead of our country.
Pakistan Airforce won’t stand a full fledged IAF Attack. They can shoot down Mig 21 that too against a loss of F 16. Remember 16th December, 1971 when we changed the geographical map of Pakistan? After 1967 , India- China have never fired a single bullet at each other.
IAF should be very careful……….it was embarrassed by PAF last year….any open confrontation with PLAAF may lead to quick demise of IAF !!!!
Brother for your information indian defence budget is greater than than total budget of Pakistan. So dont bother about IAF. IAF has proved themselves in kargil where ?❓you.