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Vayu Shakti: IAF carries out mega exercise close to border

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Pokhran (Rajasthan), Feb 16: On the inauguration of the day and night Vayu Shakti exercise, the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Saturday carried out a mega exercise in Pokhran, Rajasthan, involving around 140 fighter jets and attack helicopters, in a fire power demonstration close to the border with Pakistan.

As India's military establishment mulls options to avenge the strike by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group, Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa said the IAF was prepared to deliver "appropriate response" as assigned by India's political leadership.

Smoke rises from an explosion during an IAF exercise named 'Vayu Shakti-2019'

Smoke rises from an explosion during an IAF exercise named 'Vayu Shakti-2019'

Speaking at the inauguration of the day and night Vayu Shakti exercise, he, however, did not either mention Pakistan or the Pulwama attack.

[Surgical strike, air strikes, limited conflicts: 3 options India would take to avenge Pulwama][Surgical strike, air strikes, limited conflicts: 3 options India would take to avenge Pulwama]

"I wish to assure the nation of the IAF's capability and commitment in meeting national security challenges and defending sovereignty of our country," he said. Top IAF sources said though the Vayu Shakti was planned in advance, the drill was a demonstration of the force's capability to hit targets with "pinpoint accuracy" and carry out missions at short notice. Forty CRPF personnel were killed in a suicide attack in Kashmir's Pulwama district by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed on Thursday.

Indian Air Force C-30J dispenses flares during the 'VAYU SHAKTI-2019' at Pokhran

Indian Air Force C-30J dispenses flares during the 'VAYU SHAKTI-2019' at Pokhran

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said security forces have been given full freedom to retaliate against the attack. India has also said it will ensure "complete isolation" of Pakistan internationally for its support to terror groups.

[How Jaish pieced together a sophisticated Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device][How Jaish pieced together a sophisticated Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device]

"While wars are fought few and far between, we have an ever present sub-conventional threat as the enemy knows it cannot defeat us in a conventional conflict," the IAF chief said, in a clear reference to Pakistan.

Indian Air Force (IAF) Bambi bucket ops to put out large fires during the IAF

Indian Air Force (IAF) Bambi bucket ops to put out large fires during the IAF " Vayu Shakti 2019"

"So, today we showcase our ability to punish, our ability to insert and extricate troops from hostile territories," Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa said.

In the Vayu Shakti exercise, the IAF showcased fire power capability of indigenously-developed platforms like Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and efficacy of Akash surface-to-air missile and Astra air-to-air missile.

[Pulwama: Huge impact as Supergel-90 multiplied potency of main explosive][Pulwama: Huge impact as Supergel-90 multiplied potency of main explosive]

"We are showcasing our ability to hit hard, hit fast and hit with precision, hit during day, hit during night and hit under adverse weather conditions," the IAF Chief said.

An Indian Air Force (IAF) MIG 29 releases bombs during an IAF exercise named ,

An Indian Air Force (IAF) MIG 29 releases bombs during an IAF exercise named ," Vayu Shakti 2019"

Fighter jets and helicopters hit targets during day and night. It was for the first time, the ALH and the Akash were deployed in a military exercise. The IAF also deployed the upgraded MiG-29 fighter jet in an air-to-ground role during the exercise.

[Pulwama: Bomb maker from PoK, mastermind an Afghanistan trained terrorist][Pulwama: Bomb maker from PoK, mastermind an Afghanistan trained terrorist]

A total of 137 aircraft including Su-30s, Mirage 2000s, Jaguars, Mig-21 Bison, Mig-27, Mig-29, IL78, Hercules, AN-32 aircraft participated. Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat, defence attaches of several countries and top officials of defence ministry also witnessed the exercise. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, who is an honorary group captain of the IAF, was also present.

OneIndia News with PTI inputs

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