Won’t talk, will deliver: IAF chief on strikes

Amid a raging controversy with high political overtones over the surgical strikes on the intervening night of September 28 and 29 across the Line of Control, the Indian Air Force chief Arup Raha has said that the forces will not talk but deliver.

“There has already been so much discussion on this issue in the country, every section of the society is giving opinion on it. The armed forces are supposed to deliver the result that the nation expects. We are not going to talk about it, we will just deliver,” Raha said at the Hindon air base during the 84th Air Forces Day celebrations.

A spectacular performance by IAF’s aircraft was on display including air stunts by India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft drawing loud cheers from the audience.

In his customary address at the celebrations, Raha, who is also the chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee said: “World is in a flux today. Terrorist attacks in Uri and Pathankot show the troubled times we live today.”

“We continue to train to take up any threat and are fully prepared to undertake any challenge in most befitting manner”.

On the threat posed by Pakistan-backed terror elements, Raha said the armed forces are well prepared to take on any sub-conventional threats adding that the while terrorists can always get better, the armed forces can neutralise them. “With each incident, the forces are getting smarter and learning new lessons”, he said.

October 8 is celebrated as the Air Force Day as it was on this day in 1932 that the IAF was formed.