Union Cabinet gives nod for IAF commandos to be deployed for anti-Naxal ops

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The Union Cabinet Committee on Security recently gave a go-ahead to the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) proposal to deploy commandos on the choppers being used in the Naxal-infested areas for the security of the IAF personnel onboard in case of an attack.

Also the commandos deployed from the special forces unit of the force can fire back in case of an attack.

In November 2008, an IAF Mi-17 helicopter deployed on election duty in Chattisgarh was attacked by Naxals in Bijapur district.
The chopper that came under heavy machine gun fire damaged the rotors, engine and killed a flight engineer who was onboard.
Post this the IAF had sought permission for deployment of armed personnel onboard these choppers used in Naxal infested areas for casualty evacuation. IAF choppers are presently being used in most affected areas of Chattisgarh and Maharashtra.

The force earlier sought permission to launch machine guns which would be mounted on the helicopter flying in these areas but it was turned down. But an armed commando carrying firearms like the INSAS rifle would be flying with the helicopter staff.

“The Garud commando force of the IAF has been chosen for the task and they have been flying on the choppers for past few months. They were selected for this job for the security of the helicopter and the IAF staff onboard as they have to fly at very low altitudes in these areas and could face an attack any time” said a senior defence personnel.

The main task of the Garud commandos is the protection of critical Air Force bases and installations, search and rescue during peace and hostilities and disaster relief during calamities.
The protection of choppers deployed in these areas involves several measures such as the air crew wearing body armours and the chopper having armoured panels so that in case of an attack the aircraft does not get damaged.

Also there have been intelligence reports that Naxals were in possession of rockets which could be used to attack aircrafts so the armoured body of chopper would further help in protecting it and the personnel from such attacks.

The landing pads in these areas are being checked thoroughly and then sanitised so that there is no threat while landing in those areas.

“Garuds have been flying in the IAF choppers in these areas and they have been only deployed for defensive action rather than an launching an offensive. They would only fire in case they are fired at. The deployment has been done only for one purpose and that is for protection or self defence of IAF staffers onboard the choppers” said a defence spokesperson.