Defence Ministry nod likely to arm pilots in Naxal ops

The Defence Ministry is all set to give the nod to the Indian Air Forces request to arm its pilots on heli-borne reconnaissance,transportation and medical...

The Defence Ministry is all set to give the nod to the Indian Air Forces request to arm its pilots on heli-borne reconnaissance,transportation and medical evacuations in Naxal-hit areas with personal weapons and use them in event of fire from Left rebels for self-defence purposes but will not give permission to arm the choppers with heavy weapons or any offensive capabilities.

While the South Block is still to take a formal decision on the Air Headquarters request that was sent across just three days ago,top government sources told The Indian Express that it was not averse to the IAF using armoured Mi-17 and Mi-8 helicopters with pilots and accompanying loaders carrying INSAS or AK rifles for personal protection or self-defence in the Naxal-dominated territory. Except for the choppers operating on high-altitude missions,the IAF Mi-17s and Mi-8 have basic body armour to protect the pilot and the engine.

However,the Defence Ministry is opposed to the use or mounting of heavy caliber weapons like rocket pods or machine guns on the IAF helicopters till the time the Air Headquarters is assigned any operational role in suppressing the Maoists. The IAF role in the anti-Naxal operations is limited to causality evacuation or at best reconnaissance or troop deployment… The permission for the IAF to go on an offensive against Naxalites can only be approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security, said a senior official.

The Home Ministry,which is at the forefront of anti-Naxal operations by para-military forces,concurs with the Defence Ministry as it is against the use of excessive force or air power for internal security duties on account of collateral damage and brutal power projection. Despite understanding the magnitude of the Naxal problem,the North Block also sees this as a manifestation of the poor socio-economic development in the area.

Essentially,the IAF will have to take a leaf out of its past J&K anti-terrorist operations such as in Gurez sector or Surankote areas,where chopper pilots carried INSAS rifles and pistols to defend themselves against fire from the insurgents. There have been occasions where IAF helicopters on troop deployment duties in anti-terrorist operations on Pir Panjal have been fitted with rocket pods (but never used) as foreign jehadis have used 12.7 mm anti-aircraft guns in the past.

Although the IAF has sought permission to go on an offensive in J&K and Northeast in anti-insurgent operati-ons this decade,the Centre has denied it as it is very sensitive to using air power within its own territory and against its own albeit disgruntled population.

Under the circumstances,the IAF may adopt innovative methods like operating helicopters in buddy pairs with one keeping a watch from the air while the other carrying on with the assigned task. The other option is to arm the loader with assault rifle in case the Naxals open fire at the machine.