IAF all set for govt nod to open fire during anti-Naxal fight

With government approving a Home Ministry offensive against Maoists, Defence Minister A K Antony said the IAF too was all set to get permission to open fire in self-defence during anti-Naxal operations after laying down safeguards and procedures.

With government approving a Home Ministry offensive against Maoists, Defence Minister A K Antony on Saturday said the IAF too was all set to get permission to open fire in self-defence during anti-Naxal operations after laying down safeguards and procedures.

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However, he reiterated that the government would not involve them in a combat role in the anti-Naxal operations, which was the primary responsibility of the State government and central paramilitary forces.

"After carefully preparing safeguards and operational details, for self defence only, we will give the operational clearance. When we give permission, we will first inform the Air Force," Antony told reporters in New Delhi on the sidelines of an international flight safety conference organised by the IAF.

"There is no proposal to deploy the armed forces in anti-Naxal operations. The IAF will have a limited role to transport the paramilitary forces and casualty evacuation. There is no proposal to engage the IAF in a combat role in the operations," he said.

The Defence Minister said the government was "very clear that we will avoid deployment of armed forces to maximum extent in internal security situation".