IAF Chief On LAC Stand-Off: India Ready For Any Contingency

Chief of Indian Air Force RKS Bhadauria asserted on Saturday that India is well prepared and suitably deployed to face any crisis on the borders. The IAF chief was speaking at the Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) at the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad in the backdrop of the violent clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan valley of Eastern Ladakh in which 20 soldiers including the Commanding Officer were martyred.

The Air Chief said that India's armed forces were well prepared and suitably deployed to respond to any contingency. He also sought to assure the country that the armed forces are determined to deliver. The IAF chief added that the armed forces would never let the sacrifice of the bravehearts of Galwan Valley go in vain.

The IAF chief pointed out that the armed forces had to remain prepared and vigilant at all times in the light of the security scenario in our region. He was referring to the violent clashes at the Line of Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh on June 15. The air chief said that the incident was a small snapshot of what India's armed forces are required to handle at short notice.

Air Marshal Bhadauria also paid tributes to Col. B. Santosh Babu from Suryapet in Telangana who died in the Galwan valley clash on Monday night.

Indian soldiers clashed with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh on June 15 after being attacked by the Chinese soldiers. 20 Indian soldiers including the Commanding Officer Col. Santhosh Babu were martyred in the incident.

The Commanding Officer Col. Santhosh Babu asked his Chinese counterpart to remove tents pitched by the Chinese troops in the Indian area as per agreement arrived that earlier. The Chinese turned hostile and attacked the Indian soldiers resulting in the martyrdom of 20 soldiers including Col. Babu and injuries to others. An unverified number of Chinese soldiers were also killed in the clashes.