IAF's Mi-17 to retaliate Maoists attacks in Chhattisgarh

[Zarvan]

Indian Air Force chopper Mi17 are allowed to open fire only in self defense. (File Photo)
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RAIPUR: Indian Air force Chopper Mi-17 will now be also used in retaliatory attacks in counter insurgency operations in Chhattisgarh's Maoist hotbed Bastar region as part of self defense mechanism.

Among the four IAF choppers being used in anti-Maoist operations in Bastar, Mi-17 can carry out aerial attacks in defense.

Talking to TOI, ADG anti-Naxal operations RK Vij said, "Practices have been conducted for retaliatory attacks and from now onward, if Mi-17 chopper faces Maoist attack, it will retaliate. Mi-17 will not be used for offensive attacks but only for self defense. Choppers that fly to insurgent areas for dropping rashan to camps and for rescue operations of injured jawans, are often attacked and fired by Maoists. Carrying high risks, many commandos have lost their lives while choppers also have gone damaged."

In the past, many incidents of Maoists firing at Mi-17 has taken place, hence, decision was taken to retaliate attacks on air after formulating strategy with IAF, Chhattisgarh police force and Border Security Forces.

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Vij added that situations are going to improve as the commando squad of 'Garuda' have undergone training at safe regions of Bijapur district to fire via machine guns. The special training was conducted under Indian Air Force experts.

Earlier, officials said that IAF didn't retaliate because commandos weren't well equipped and trained for aerial attack, nor they wanted civilians to be killed. "But to boost up morale of forces deployed in red zone and dissuade Maoists from attacking on choppers, retaliation became necessity," a senior police officer said.

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While the strategy will be implemented only on Mi-17 choppers as of now, the defensive mechanism may extend in other choppers as well in future with IAF's consent, Vij said adding that number of seats in chopper for commandos needs to be sufficient for retaliatory attack.

Chhattisgarh presently has four IAF choppers and government plans for deployment of additional four helicopters for Maoist infested region under BSF. Officials confirmed that one of the proposed choppers have already arrived.

IAF's Mi-17 to retaliate Maoists attacks in Chhattisgarh - The Times of India