Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 10: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has put all it bases in the Western sector, which also covered the International Border in Jammu and Punjab, under the surveillance of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in the run up to an air exercise scheduled later next week.
As part of the forthcoming Air exercise in WAC (Western Air Command) and to enhance security measures, all Air Force bases in Western Air Command are now under continuous security surveillance by UAVs, reliable sources said.
Pathankot air base, which came under attack from Pakistan-based terrorists earlier this year, also comes under the Western Air Command. Seven security personnel and all six militants, who had attacked the airbase, were killed in three-day long operation after militants had targeted the strategic base on January 2.
The Air exercise, which comes in the aftermath of the Pathankot terror attack, is scheduled to be held in Haldwara in Punjab next week, sources said.
During the exercise, full strength of a base is on operational deployment and the security pickets and patrols are enhanced and strengthened, sources said, adding all such measures were part of the exercise.
The Western Air Command also rates its performance and compares it with reports by independent bodies like DASI and AEB.
“The IAF operations are highly centralized. The Command monitored very closely its own plans unfolding without major glitches,’’ sources said, adding that with the passage of time, change of equipment and manning state, fresh realignments must work in sync.
“We also rate our performance and compare with reports by independent bodies like DASI and AEB,” source said.
“Since all bases have gone through special security audits post Pathankot terror attack and actioned upon the issues flagged therein, the surveillance would be a good feedback mechanism also,” source added.
The exercise also allows the Commander to cross check actual redeployment of assets and personnel on ground, sources said.
They were of the view that the exercise would go long way in assessment of the performance of the IAF and further improve it, wherever required.
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