BSF sets up airbase in Guwahati

Bijay Sankar Bora

Tribune News Service

Guwahati, June 25

The Border Security Force (BSF) has set up an airbase at Guwahati to bolster Central Armed Police Forces’ (CAPFs) air-support capabilities towards troop deployment, disaster management and counter-insurgency operations in North-East.

The BSF (Air Wing) has taken over a hangar at the new apron area of Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport in Guwahati. 

The hangar and associated aerodrome facilities would enable the BSF to undertake the independent maintenance and flying operation of Mi-17 V5 aircraft on a short notice, said a source in the BSF. It would also facilitate emergency medical evacuation of critical CAPF personnel. 

The Ministry of Home Affairs has approved operation of three Mi-V5 helicopters from the airbase. Flying trials have already been conducted successfully from the new Guwahati airbase.  Prior to this, the BSF has been operating aircraft from Delhi, Ranchi, Raipur, Agartala and Srinagar.