publive-image
IAF AN32 taking off the airstrip

Increasing its activity at the Indo-China border, the Indian Air force (IAF) landed the twin engine A-32 transport aircraft and Mi-17 chopper at the Chinyalisaur airstrip in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand earlier today (7 July).

According to the officials in the district, two IAF’s Mi17 helicopters were seen flying at the Advance Landing Ground in Chinyalisaur airstrip.

“The helicopters landed and took-off at least five times. They also flew near the border for inspecting security,” said an official of the district administration not wishing to be named.

Superintendent of police (SP) Uttarkashi Pankaj Bhatt confirmed the air force’s activity and said that two IAF choppers landed at the spot.

The airstrip near Uttarkashi is used by the IAF as an Advanced Landing ground and is strategically important. Chinyalisaur lies 125 kilometres from the Indo-China border.

The night operations saw the IAF in activity at a forward base near the Indo China border -- with Apache helicopter, MiG-29 and the Chinook heavy lift helicopter seen participating, with an eye on the border.

Group Captain A Rathi -- a senior pilot at a forward air base near the Indo China border told the ANI that "the night operations have an element of surprise.

He said, "IAF is fully trained and ready to undertake entire spectrum of ops in any environment with help of modern platforms and motivated personnel (sic)."

ANI posted visuals of the Apache helicopter carrying out the night operations.

ANI reported that pilots "were seen wearing night-vision goggles". These goggles the pilots in navigating through the terrain around the airbase during the night.

Reports mention that security has been tightened near the Indo-China border in Uttarakhand and the IAF has raised its activity here.

The Border Roads Organisation, too, has upped its projects in the area, and the progress in the projects near the LAC and LOC are being reviewed by defence minister Rajnath Singh.

Article via SwarajyaMag