IAF chief rules out involvement in anti-Naxal ops

Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal P V Naik on Wednesday expressed his unwillingness to use the air force in ongoing anti-Naxal operations, saying the situation has not worsened so much merit military action.

Addressing a press conference in Gandhinagar, Air Chief Marshal Naik said the state government and central security forces are able to handle crisis. "The state and central security forces are trained to handle such situations, I don't think the situation has worsened to the level of ordering a military operation," Air Chief Marshal Naik said.

"At this level, it is not required. If the state is willing, they can order us at any time, we are ready for that," he added. Air Chief Marshal Naik's reaction came barely 24hours after Naxals killed 76 Central Reserve Police Force in Dantewada. Air Chief Marshal Naik said the IAF is trained for dangerous attacks and not for limited lethality. " We are not trained for limited lethality, but for lethal attacks," he said.

He said the Naxals are our own people and the military can not be engaged against them. He also said it is difficult to carry out an aerial surveillance on the Naxals. Earlier, Army Chief, General V K Singh also expressed his reservations about using the military in anti-Maoist operations.