IAF doesn''t count number of dead; casualty figure to be given by govt: Dhanoa : The Tribune India

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BATTLE OVER BALAKOT

IAF doesn''t count number of dead; casualty figure to be given by govt: Dhanoa

NEW DELHI: IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa today avoided the ongoing political controversy, saying the IAF does not count casualties but the airstrike at Balakot had hit the “target”.

IAF doesn''t count number of dead; casualty figure to be given by govt: Dhanoa

President Ram Nath Kovind with Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa during presentation of President’s colours, at Sulur in Tamil Nadu. PTI



Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 4

IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa today avoided the ongoing political controversy, saying the IAF does not count casualties but the airstrike at Balakot had hit the “target”.

The IAF had struck a terror camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in Pakistan on February 26 and since then neither the IAF nor the government has listed the number of casualties. However, the media has been saying that nearly 300 terrorists were killed.

EDIT: Going ballistic over Balakot

The IAF Chief was speaking at Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu for the first time since the attack at Balakot in Pakistan’s Khyber Paktunkhwa province. “We don’t count human casualties. We count what targets we have hit or not hit,” the IAF Chief said.

“The bomb damage assessment only calculates the target that has been hit or not hit,” he said, adding: “We can’t count how many people have died. That depends on how many people were there.” He said a statement on the number of terrorists killed would be made by the government.

On reports suggesting the bombs were dropped away from the target, he said: “Had the IAF dropped bombs in a jungle, there would have been no need for Pakistan to respond. If we plan to hit the target, we hit the target.”

On the MiG-21 still being used, the IAF Chief said: “The MiG-21 Bison is in our inventory, why not use it? It has been upgraded. It has got a better weapons system, better radars and better air-to-air missiles.” The IAF Chief refused to be drawn into a commentary on what difference the Rafale could have made, saying: “The Prime Minister has made a statement. I will not comment on that.”


Needlessly targeted by Oppn

If this (airstrike) is done for polls, were there polls when we carried out the first surgical strikes (in 2016)? My objective is to end terror, while that of the Opposition is to remove me. — Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

Move to deepen divide

The targeting of Kashmiris, calls for abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A are turning this battle against terrorism into battles against Kashmiris and Muslims to deepen communal divide. — Sitaram Yechury, CPM

No faith in jumla jodi

We all believe the armed forces. Are proud of them. We don't believe the Jumla Jodi. Are U sending our soldiers to die without a plan? Or purpose?... Or is your purpose only to win an election (sic)? — Derek O’Brien, TMC

Was it election gimmick?

300 terrorists dead, Yes or No? What was the purpose then? Were you uprooting terrorists or trees? Was it an election gimmick? Deceit possesses our land in guise of fighting a foreign enemy. — Navjot Sidhu, Punjab minister

PM must apologise

We have clearly stated our stand. From where this figure of 250-300-350 is coming, including that by Amit Shah... The PM says IAF would have been stronger if we had Rafale. He must apologise... — RPN Singh, Cong

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