Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari on Tuesday said that the Chinese Air Force is still present on three air bases on their side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and assured that the IAF is fully deployed and prepared.
Addressing the media on the 89th anniversary of the force, the Air Chief Marshal said, “The situation on the Line of Actual Control is that the Chinese Air Force is still present on three air bases on their side of the LAC. We are fully deployed and prepared on our side.” On being asked about Chinese Air Force capabilities near Ladakh, he said China’s capability to launch multiple high altitude missions would remain weak.
Chaudhari also said that the induction of Rafale, Apaches have significantly added to our combat potential. He said that the IAF is in the process of new combat systems to ensure that we retain an edge over our adversaries “The induction of Rafale, Apaches have significantly added to our combat potential. Our offensive strike capability has become even more potent with the integration of new weapons on our fleets,” the IAF chief said.
He further added that we have hardened our networks to avoid cyber attacks. Adequate safeguards are being taken to protect our critical infrastructure. IAF is keen on integration amongst the Armed Forces. The joint planning and execution of operations by the three Services will result in a maximum increase in our net combat capability, he added. Chaudhari took charge as the Chief of Air Staff from Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria on 30 September 2021. An ace fighter pilot, he was earlier in charge of the Ladakh sector during the peak of the crisis with China.
Meanwhile, the IAF chief on Tuesday denied reports that a two-finger test was conducted on a woman officer in an alleged Coimbatore rape case. While addressing the media on the 89th anniversary of the force, he said that the IAF law is strict on any such incident and it was misreported that a two-finger test was conducted on a woman officer. “IAF law is very strict on any such incident. The two-finger test conducted on a woman officer is misreported. No two-finger test was done. We are well aware of the rules and due action would be taken,” said the IAF Chief.
An IAF officer was accused of sexually assaulting a female officer. According to the police, the IAF officer, Amitesh (29), was arrested by the Coimbatore police for allegedly sexually assaulting his 27-year-old female colleague on 25 September. The police said that the woman officer was not satisfied by the action taken by the IAF against Amitesh, so she decided to lodge a complaint with the police two weeks ago. According to the complaint, the woman had come to Air Force College for training and the assault took place inside her room at the Air Force Administrative College in Coimbatore’s Redfields. She got injured while playing a sport. After taking medication, she went to sleep in her room, and when she woke up she found that she had been sexually assaulted, said the complaint. However, N. Sundaravadivelu, Amitesh’s lawyer, said that the police do not have jurisdiction in matters relating to the armed forces personnel. “Such cases can only be heard by a defence court,” the lawyer said. Police have said the issue of jurisdiction is being discussed. As Amitesh has been produced before the additional Mahila court, Magistrate Thilageswari will be hearing the case.