The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has ruled out an offensive or proactive role for the Indian Air Force in anti-Naxalite operations but has laid down clear-cut recommendations for operations: IAF helicopters should be fitted with light machine guns, pilots should be equipped with personal weapons including INSAS rifles, and there should be least one commando on board to counter fire from Naxals.

Government sources told The Sunday Express that the IAF mandate for anti-Naxal duties has been limited to troop deployment and casualty evacuation, with emphasis on “proportional response” in case the Mi-17 helicopters come under fire from Maoists.

The principles of engagement and the Standard Operating Procedure for the IAF will be sent to Air Headquarters next week after consultations with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) with Defence Minister A K Antony giving the final go-ahead.

Earlier, as first reported by The Indian Express, Air Chief P V Naik had sought permission from the Defence Ministry to fire at Maoists in case IAF helicopters were attacked. Official sources said the MoD’s view is that while the IAF could respond to Naxal fire, the response should be “calibrated with little or no collateral damage to civilians.”

So the light machine gun will be inside the helicopter rather than being mounted on it to avoid any provocation. The need for an LMG, an area weapon, has arisen because of the Maoists upgrading their weapons from antique .303 rifles to rocket launchers, AK-47s and machine guns.