Air Chief Marshal BS?Dhanoa said his force is capable of countering China; any decision on surgical strike involving the IAF has to be taken by the government

NEW DELHI (TIP): The Indian Air Force is capable of effectively countering any threat from China while engaging in a two-front war that also involves Pakistan, Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa said today and indicated that tension still prevailed between Chinese and Indian troops in Doklam.

He also said India was ready to disarm Pakistan of its nuclear arsenals, if necessary.

The IAF chief said Chinese troops were currently present in Chumbi Valley in the Doklam plateau, and added that a peaceful resolution of border issues would be in the interest of both countries.

“The two sides are not in a physical face-off as we speak. However, their forces in Chumbi Valley are still deployed and I expect them to withdraw as their exercise in the area gets over,”

Dhanoa told reporters ahead of IAF Day, marked on October 8. Indian and Chinese troops were locked in an over two-month-long standoff after India stopped the construction of a road by Chinese soldiers in Doklam, which both China and Bhutan claim as their own.

Asserting that the IAF was capable of a two-front war to counter China and Pakistan, Dhanoa, however, added that the possibility of such a scenario was “low”.

At the same time he said India’s response had to be based on the enemy’s capabilities as intentions could change overnight.

“We need a strength of 42 squadrons to carry out full spectrum operations in a two-front (war) scenario. It does not mean that we are not capable of fighting a two-front (war) as we speak. We have a Plan B,” Dhanoa said.

Asked about concerns over Pakistan’s nuclear weapons and whether the IAF would be able to disarm Islamabad of its nuclear arsenals if necessary, Dhanoa said his force had the capability of locating, fixing and striking across the border.

The army chief, General Bipin Rawat, had said last month that India should be prepared for a two-front war, insisting that China had started “flexing its muscles”, while there seemed to be no scope for a reconciliation with Pakistan.

The IAF has 33 fighter squadrons and Dhanoa said the force would get the authorised strength of 42 by 2032.

Asked whether the IAF was ready for a surgical strike across the border, he said it could deal with any challenge and a call on such an operation would have to be taken by the government.

“A surgical strike is a decision that has to be taken by the government. The IAF has the capability to carry out the full spectrum of air operations,” Dhanoa said.

He said a war-like situation might arise if the IAF crossed the border.

On whether the IAF provided support to the army for the surgical strike last year and during the Doklam face-off, Dhanoa said: “Whatever was asked from the air force was provided”.

The IAF chief, however, said no air force assets were involved during the Myanmar operation and the surgical strike across the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir last year.

“The IAF is prepared to fight at a short notice in full synergy with the other two sister services, should the need arise,” Dhanoa said, adding that the force was in a high state of readiness to fight a war.

About a possible confrontation with China, he said India’s air power was “adequate”. Source: PTI