Layered air defence system minimised scale of damage from Pakistan forces

THE INDIAN Armed Forces successfully repelled Pakistan's attacks owing to the layered envelope of its air defence (AD) systems, officials said on Monday during a tri-services special media briefing steered by Director General (DG) of Indian Air Force Air Marshal A K Bharti, DG of Military Operations (Army) Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, and DG of Naval Operations Vice Admiral A N Pramod.

- MAYANK SINGH @New Delhi

Air Marshal Bharti emphasised that the joint operations to destroy terror infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and deep inside Pakistan reaffirmed that "India's fight is with terrorists and their support systems. However, it is a pity that the Pakistan military chose to intervene and bat for the terrorists, which compelled us to respond in kind."

Responding to a question about the symbolic use of Dinkar's poetry in the conference's opening video, Bharti invoked a verse from the Ramcharitmanas to underline India's shift in posture.

Air Marshal Bharti said, "Vinay na maanat jaladh jad gaye teen din beeti. Bole Ram sakop tab, bhay binu hoye na preeti", which roughly translates to, 'The ocean, unmoved by polite requests, remained obstinate for three days. Then Lord Rama, in anger, said — without fear, love does not arise'.

Vice Admiral Pramod said the Indian Navy's Carrier Battle Group (CBG) deployment in the Arabian Sea compelled Pakistani air elements to remain bottled up close to their Makran coast.