Ghaziabad: The Balakot air strikes reflect a marked change in the government's way of handling terror attacks and show its resolve to punish the perpetrators of terrorism, Indian Air Force chief R K S Bhadauria said on Tuesday.
In his Air Force Day message, Bhadauria, who took charge as the Chief of Air Staff a little over a week ago, said the IAF must maintain high serviceability of combat equipment and exceptional training standards to ensure operational success in all future operations.
"The strategic relevance of this (Balakot strike) is the resolve of the political leadership to punish the perpetrators of terrorism and the capability of the IAF to execute a strike inside Pakistan. This has been a major shift in the government's way of handling terrorist attacks," he said in a written message on the 87th anniversary of the Indian Air Force.
Without naming Pakistan, Bhadauria said the present security environment in India's neighbourhood is a serious cause of concern, and the Pulwama terror strike is also a stark reminder of the persistent threat to defence installations.
"While the security of all our assets is of paramount, I also expect air warriors to pay particular attention to the security of our information and cyber networks," Bhadauria said in his written message.
In a separate address at the Hindon Air Base, he pointed out that the geopolitical environment has been rapidly changing and uncertainties have created numerous challenges to national security.
"It is imperative that we are always vigilant and alert to the existing sub-conventional threat. In the year gone by, the IAF has demonstrated its resolve and capability in punishing the perpetrators of terrorism, and we need to be ever prepared to meet any contingency that challenges the defence of our country," he said, referring to the Balakot strikes.
Post the Pulwama attack on February 14 that killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel; the IAF launched airstrikes on terror camps at Balakot in Pakistan.
Bhadauria said the IAF also acknowledges the contributions of all personnel of commands, stations and units who silently and professionally contributed to the success of the airstrikes on the terrorist camps at Balakot earlier this year.