He wrote: "We also congratulate the government for taking the decision to launch the IAF and trusting it with a formidable task, one where the chance of failure is next to none."
Former Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy, who held that position between 2001 and 2004, hailed the Indian Air Force for doing the nation proud after the air strike on Jaish camps, and also the Modi government for showing political will after Pulwama terrorist attack.
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In an article for a leading daily, he wrote: “Bravo to the Indian Air Force, for it has done the nation proud. We salute you! We also congratulate the government for taking the decision to launch the IAF and trusting it with a formidable task, one where the chance of failure is next to none. “
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He remembered how both the terrorist attack in December 2001 and the Mumbai terror attack in 2008 went ‘unpunished’.
1. Remembering attack on Parliament House
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He wrote: “I remember witnessing the rush of armed police and clatter of machine guns near the distant Parliament House during the December 13, 2001, attack from my office window as the vice chief of the IAF. The terrorists had hit. Soon after the attack, the heads of all the three services were summoned by the Ministry of Defence and directed to plan a viable action plan. The Air Force planned a strike with Mirage-2000s against terrorist training camps in a manner similar to what was demonstrated during the Kargil conflict. We sought 72 hours to launch the operations.”
2. Story was similar in 2008
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He wrote that after a number of meetings following at the CCS, and while the plan was ready the EAM strongly felt that an attack by IAF would be escalatory and expressed concern over collateral damage.
He added: “The story was similar in 2008. After the Mumbai attack, a plan for a surgical strike by the IAF was suggested, but once again the government resorted to caution and restraint.”
He wrote that while the Air Force has the ability to punish in a speedy and precise manner, the government remained ‘wary’.
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3. IAF vindicated
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He wrote: “Today, the stand of the IAF of being a quick reaction precision attack force is vindicated. An air strike has come to be recognised as a potent method of executing national will.”
He said that while it was ‘relatively easy’ for the military to suggest a plan to attack the responsibility of the government is ‘far heavier’.
4. Exercise could've ended in disaster
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He added: “The exercise could even end in a disaster, loss of lives and a big hit on the economy of the country. It is not easy for a civilian government to predict and assimilate military operations and have total confidence to succeed. Yet, they take the decision and responsibility. I do not envy the members of the Cabinet or the PM of their position.”
