New Delhi, October 01: Committing itself to a greater role in the government’s fight against Maoists, the IAF today said it has sought permission from the Defence Ministry to open fire at the Left extremists if its helicopters or air crew came under attack.
“The IAF has sought permission from the Defence Ministry to open fire in self-defence whenever our helicopters or air crew operating in the Maoist-infested areas come under attack,” Air Chief Marshal P V Naik told reporters here.
Describing the Naxal attacks on IAF assets and air crew as a matter of grave concern, Naik said: “the Air Force, of course, has a greater role to play in the offensive against Naxals, be it higher reconnaissance or surveillance, troop movement and also for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) recce.
–PTI