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Josh is high: IAF chief Dhanoa, who flew night missions during Kargil, suggested air strikes option

Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa had presented the action plan to the government of how India was looking to retaliate. According to reports, Air Staff chief Dhanoa suggested that airstrikes on terror launch pads as a possible response.

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Air Staff chief Dhanoa suggested that airstrikes on terror launch pads as a possible response.
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Planning India's counter-attack after the deadly Pulwama incident where 40 CRPF personnel were martyred on February 14, IAF fighter jets targeted Jaish-e-Mohammad's (JeM) training camps at Balakot in Pakistan, killing more than 300 terrorists. Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out air strikes targeting JeM terror training camps during the early hours of February 26 around 3:20 am. IAF chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, who suggested to the government to carry air strikes, was one of the main persons monitoring the mission. According to reports, Air Chief Dhanoa shared the plan of India's retaliatory action with the government just a day after the Pulwama attack. 

Here's a short profile of Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa 

  • Indian Air Force (IAF) during the early hours on February 26 around 3:20 am targetted JeM terror training camps in Balakot, Pakistan to avenge the Pulwama attack. IAF chief BS Dhanoa who himself had carried night attacks missions during the Kargil war, was one of the officers who was monitoring India's retaliatory action. Indian Air Force Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa has been serving in the Air Force for the past 37 years. 
  • It was during the Kargil war in 1999 when BS Dhanoa commanded a fighter Squadron and coordinated with the then IAF chief AY Tipnis in the Kargil war. It was under Dhanoa's leadership,  the IAF pilots attempted innovative methods of carrying out night attacks at high altitudes. 
  • Reports say that during the Kargil fight, BS Dhanoa had insisted that he will fly with his own call sign. According to an IAF observer, Dhanoa did not want his chief's life to be put in danger, who was flying with the IAF pilots to boost their morale.
  • Dhanoa was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in June 1978. During his so far career, he has flown several fighter jets and is a qualified flying instructor. Among the fighter jets he has flown include HJT-16 Kiran, MiG-21, SEPECAT, Jaguar, MiG-29 and Su-30MKI.
  • In his 37 years of experience in the Air Force, he has held several responsibilities including that of Director Targeting Cell at Air Headquarters, Director Fighter Operations & War Planning at Headquarters Western Air Command, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Intelligence) at Air Headquarters, Senior Air Staff Officer of Eastern & Western Air Command and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of South Western Air Command (1 November - 31 May 2015).
  • Air Chief Dhanoa had also served as Honorary ADC to the President of India on 1 August 2015. 
  • Dhanoa has also provided his services as Senior Air Instructor and Chief Air Instructor at Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and led an Indian Air Force Training Team abroad.
  • Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa has been honoured with several medals in his so far 37 years of service in the Indian Air Force. He has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2016), the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2015), the Yudh Seva Medal (1999), and the Vayu Sena Medal (1999), Operation Vijay Star Medal, Operation Parakram Medal, Operation Vijay Medal, Sainya Seva Medal, 50th Anniversary of Independence Medal, 30 Years Long Service Medal, 20 Years Long Service Medal and 9 Years Long Service Medal. 

After the Pulwama attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said his government has given full freedom to the Army to decide how and when they will avenge the Pulwama terror attack. Going as planned, on February 26, 12 Mirage 2000s, armed with laser-guided bombs, take off in batches and destroyed JeM training camps in Balakot. India's counter-attack mission was carried out between 3:20 and 3.30 am, killing more than 300 terrorists. 

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