National
IAF capable of surgical strike, but decision will be taken by government: IAF Chief
New Delhi, Oct 5 (IANS) The Indian Air Force has full capability to carry out a surgical strike across the border but only if such a decision is taken by the government, Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa said on Thursday.
Asked if the IAF can also carry out a surgical strike, Dhanoa said: “Surgical strike is a decision that has to be taken by the government of India, Indian Air Force has capability to carry out full spectrum of air operations.”
He was addressing the annual press conference of the IAF ahead of Air Force Day which is on October 8.
Dhanoa said the two recent surgical strikes – along the Myanmar border in 2015 and across the LoC in 2016 – did not have IAF’s involvement.
“In the Myanmar operation air force assets were not involved, nor were Air Force assets involved in any cross-border operation that took place in surgical strikes,” Dhanoa said.
To a question if the IAF was put on alert during the cross-border strike last year, he said: “If any operation takes place, you are always ready that should it go wrong, if there is a response from the other side, air defences are on the highest alert.”
He added that in the case of the surgical strike along the Myanmar border there was no involvement of IAF at all as the “Myanmar air force response was not expected”.
Responding to a question if the IAF can play a role in stopping cross border infiltration by striking on the other side, Dhanoa said: “If IAF takes action across the border, a war situation will arise… But this decision rests with the government.”
He added that at present the IAF is providing recce and surveillance support along the LoC.
Asked if IAF can play a role in destroying nuclear weapons in Pakistan, Dhanoa said that the force had the capability to hit any target across the border, but any step would be guided by India’s nuclear doctrine.
“We have a draft nuclear doctrine, it is answered what happens if the enemy decides to use any kind of nuclear weapon. As far as Air Force is concerned it has the ability to locate and strike, that is not only with tactical nuclear weapon — it is for any target across the border,” he said.
India’s nuclear doctrine is based on a ‘no first use’ policy.
However, last year, then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had said India should say it will use its nuclear powers “responsibly” instead of stressing on “no first use”, stressing that this was his personal view.
–IANS
ao/rn
National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.