mirage2K
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NEW DELHI: IAF has now decided to deploy four Garud commandos on each of its helicopters undertaking logistical duties in the ongoing anti-Naxalite operations, even as the force faces flak for leaving behind a grievously-injured Chhattisgarh policeman as well as its damaged Mi-17 unguarded in a Maoist stronghold last month.
IAF is also planning to complain to the home ministry about the "failure" of the police forces to "sanitize" the required 1.5-km area around the helipad since helicopters are the most vulnerable while taking off and landing.
The Mi-17 medium-lift helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing after coming under fire from Maoists while descending for a casualty evacuation mission in the Sukma district of Chhattisgarh on January 18. While the pilots did a good job of safely landing the helicopter, which was hit by as many as 19 bullets, what followed thereafter has come under criticism.
The IAF crew of two pilots, a flight engineer, a gunner and two Garud commandos left behind police wireless operator Yamlal Sahu, who was hit by bullets which perforated his intestines, to make their way to the Timilwada police camp two km away. It took several hours before CRPF Cobra commandos could reach the spot to rescue the profusely bleeding Sahu and secure the helicopter.
Refuting that the IAF personnel had "abandoned" Sahu and the unguarded helicopter that was armed with two light machine guns, a senior officer on Friday said the injured policeman could not have been moved on foot since it would have proved fatal for him.
Moreover, the two Garud commandos had themselves sustained "chemical burn injuries" on being sprayed with hydraulic oil and aviation turbine fuel after the helicopter's "hydraulic accumulator and high-pressure fuel pipelines" were hit by bullets.
"The crew then took the decision to get help for Sahu as well as security for the helicopter. I am not saying whether the decision was right or wrong but it was taken by the men on the spot, who also did not want to be taken hostage. The ongoing court of inquiry is looking into all these things," the IAF officer said.
As part of the overall review of standard operating procedures and flying tactics, which includes deploying four Garud commandos on each helicopter, IAF is also looking at "technological solutions" in the form of long-range radars to detect unusual activity on the ground.
Anti-Maoist ops: IAF copters to get 4 commandos each - The Times of India
IAF is also planning to complain to the home ministry about the "failure" of the police forces to "sanitize" the required 1.5-km area around the helipad since helicopters are the most vulnerable while taking off and landing.
The Mi-17 medium-lift helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing after coming under fire from Maoists while descending for a casualty evacuation mission in the Sukma district of Chhattisgarh on January 18. While the pilots did a good job of safely landing the helicopter, which was hit by as many as 19 bullets, what followed thereafter has come under criticism.
The IAF crew of two pilots, a flight engineer, a gunner and two Garud commandos left behind police wireless operator Yamlal Sahu, who was hit by bullets which perforated his intestines, to make their way to the Timilwada police camp two km away. It took several hours before CRPF Cobra commandos could reach the spot to rescue the profusely bleeding Sahu and secure the helicopter.
Refuting that the IAF personnel had "abandoned" Sahu and the unguarded helicopter that was armed with two light machine guns, a senior officer on Friday said the injured policeman could not have been moved on foot since it would have proved fatal for him.
Moreover, the two Garud commandos had themselves sustained "chemical burn injuries" on being sprayed with hydraulic oil and aviation turbine fuel after the helicopter's "hydraulic accumulator and high-pressure fuel pipelines" were hit by bullets.
"The crew then took the decision to get help for Sahu as well as security for the helicopter. I am not saying whether the decision was right or wrong but it was taken by the men on the spot, who also did not want to be taken hostage. The ongoing court of inquiry is looking into all these things," the IAF officer said.
As part of the overall review of standard operating procedures and flying tactics, which includes deploying four Garud commandos on each helicopter, IAF is also looking at "technological solutions" in the form of long-range radars to detect unusual activity on the ground.
Anti-Maoist ops: IAF copters to get 4 commandos each - The Times of India
but its just me. GOI care for these Mao fans than our own personnel
