High alert sounded along the border areas
Drone strike at Jammu Air Force Station
Pakistan and its proxies in Jammu and Kashmir have done it again. While India was claiming peace was prevailing along the borders and the ceasefire agreement was holding on along the Line of Control (LoC) since February 25, a first-ever drone strike aimed at destroying the IAF (Indian Air Force) assets parked inside Jammu Air Force Station is set to further escalate tensions between the neighboring countries.[1]
The Air Force station considered one of the most strategic and valuable assets of the Indian Air Force is located approximately 14 km from the International border and it is highly unlikely that an aerial vehicle with a payload could have managed to travel so far without escaping the vigilant eyes.
Security forces are thoroughly probing the possible leads to track down the exact trajectory of the drones before they crash-landed inside the Air Force Station causing injuries to at least two IAF personnel. Security forces are of the opinion that the drones may have been remote-controlled from a nearby location after they were launched from the close proximity of the Air Force Station. The rooftop of a single-story building was also damaged in the explosion which was heard up to a radius of more than 1-kilometer area.
In a series of tweets, the Indian Air Force (IAF) said that two low-intensity explosions were reported early Sunday morning in the technical area of Jammu Air Force Station.
Two low intensity explosions were reported early Sunday morning in the technical area of Jammu Air Force Station. One caused minor damage to the roof of a building while the other exploded in an open area.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) June 27, 2021
According to official sources, the first explosion took place around 1.40 a.m and the second at 1.46 a.m.
One of the blasts caused minor damage to the roof of a building while the other exploded in an open area. There was no damage to any equipment, the IAF said.
An investigation into the matter is in progress along with civil agencies, it added.
Meanwhile, Director General of Jammu and Kashmir police Dilbagh Singh labelled it a ‘terror attack’. He said drones with payload were used in both the blasts at Jammu airfield.
The vital Air Force Station attack coincided with the three-day-long visit of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Army Chief General M M Naravane to Ladakh. They are expected to review India’s operational readiness and interact with troops in the backdrop of a drawn-out standoff with China.[2]
Five years ago, on January 2, 2016, the Pathankot Air Force base had also come under terror attack in which seven security personnel were killed in action.[3]
The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) police registered a First Information Report (FIR) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act after two low-intensity explosions took place at the Jammu Air Force Station on Sunday. FIR NO 170/2021 u/s 3/4 explosive act, 13/16/18/23 ULA 120 B IPC act registered at PS Satwari, Jammu.
Investigators probing all possible angles
Soon after the drone attack was reported Indian Air Force authorities rushed a high-level team of investigators to Jammu to probe the possible links before exposing the perpetrators behind the attack.
The IAF teams were assisted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) officers, NSG commandos, special forces, local police authorities, to gather the crucial forensic evidence.
Official sources claimed the Country’s premier investigating agency NIA is set to formally take over the investigations in the drone attack case.
Senior Air Force officers from the Western Command were also camping in Jammu to supervise the investigations.
To begin with, the security forces were trying to ascertain the flight path of the two drones that crashed into the high-security Indian Air Force station.
In the past, several incidents of Pakistan using drones in border areas of Jammu and Kashmir to drop arms, ammunition, weapons, drugs and Hawala money have come to light.
Soon after the attack, a high alert was also sounded along the International border across the Jammu frontier to prevent a repeat of such strikes.
Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
References:
[1] Pakistan Drone Attack: What Was The Target At Jammu Air Base? Here Are The Details – Jun 27, 2021, Republic World
[2] Defense Minister Rajnath Singh On Three Day Ladakh Visit, Jammu Airport Blast Drone Attack, Army Chief General Mm Naravane – Ladakh – Jun 27, 2021, Indian News Weekly
[3] Five terrorists killed in Pathankot operations still on – Jan 05, 2016, PGurus.com
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Indian Air Force Intelligence found wanting.
Especially after earlier warnings of cloud cover use for normal fighter planes by India’ incumbent PM. Apparently he instructed how it was to perform. Guess they did not read the book ” Exam for Air Force Warriors”
Drones apparently do not figure as a danger in the IAF books!
Indian Army gives away territory to the Chinese.
Indian Air force unable to defend a Air base inside India.
Wonder what the Indian Navy will do! Looks like the sea will be the next arena.
I recall an army Col. friend telling me a few decades ago, that the Armed Forces were fed up with the “topiwallahs”.
India he said would be a better place without them
Oh yes, Gen. Bhagwat of the RSS said he would be ready within 3 days to fight. On record and in public.
Now close to 3 years and they have not moved an inch from Nagpur. Covid or Coldfeet, I wonder. All words and no Courage! Of course they are led by Genl. Bhag Gaya!!!
Never ever forget Delhi as a capital city has never survived for long.
History always repeats.