IAF and NSG conduct exercise ”Black Eagle”

Manesar (Haryana), May 13 (ANI): India”s elite counter-terrorist force National Security Guard (NSG) the ”Black Cats” and youngest Special Force, GARUDs of Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted a joint exercise called ”Black Eagle” at the NSG Headquarter in Manesar, Haryana to hone their counter terrorist skills.

The exercise was conducted in two phases with the Air Force as well as with NSG.

Air Marshal J.N.Burma and NSG chief N.P.S.Aulakh jointly witnessed the exercise along with other senior officers. Both officers expressed that such exercise enhanced the skills of Special Forces and helped in building inter-operability.

The joint exercise was conducted for over seven days and covered skills of shooting and techniques to enable precision surgical strikes against terrorists, hostile elements and rescue missions.

The emphasis was on ”swift deployment” for which the teams used helicopters. The exercise promoted mutual cooperation and understanding between the two elite commando forces.

The IAF pilots performed difficult maneuvers with their machines and the NSG commandos successfully devised new tactics for various anti-terrorist operations.

The joint exercise of the IAF and the NSG was a thrust in the preparedness and ability to combat terrorism or undertake a rescue mission in any form anywhere in the country.

The first such joint exercise was conducted in 2008. (ANI)

Shahzad’s ex-PAF chief father taken into custody for interrogation

Lahore, May 7 (ANI): Former Pakistan Air Force Chief Air Vice Marshal Baharul Haq, the father of Faisal Shahzad, who has been accused of plotting the failed Times Square bombing, has been taken into custody for interrogation.

According to The Daily Times, Pakistani intelligence agencies have arrested Haq for questioning his son’s involvement in last week’s bungled bombing attempt at New York’s Times Square.

It may be noted that Haq along with his other family members had vacated their Hayatabad house and left for an undisclosed location just hours after news regarding Shahzad’s involvement in the bombing plot was flashed.

Haq was seen vacating his house situated in a posh locality of Hayatabad town as soon as media started converging outside his residence to learn more about Shahzad, a private television channel said.

Eyewitnesses said Haq along with other male and female members of the family left for some unknown destination in a car to avoid the media glare.

None of Shahzad’s family members have spoken to the media about his arrest in New York over alleged involvement in terror activities.

Air Vice Marshal Haq had retired from the Pakistan Air Force few years ago. His brother Major General (retired) Tajul Haq reportedly served as the Inspector General of Frontier Corps (IGFC).

Shahzad, 30, was arrested on Tuesday while he was trying to board a plane to Dubai. Soon after his arrest media reports said that eight to ten people had also been arrested in Pakistan in connection with the failed bombing plot.

Earlier, US officials said Shahzad has admitted to his role in the Times Square bombing plot, saying he had received bomb-making training in Pakistan.

During interrogation, Shahzad, who had returned from Pakistan in February, said that he received training in the restive tribal region in Pakistan along the Afghanistan border, a stronghold of the Tehreeke-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), adding that he was alone in the bombing plot and didn’t receive any help from banned terror groups operating from that region. (ANI)

Times Square bomb plotter’s ex-PAF chief father flees from Hayatabad house

Peshawar, May 5 (ANI): Faisal Shahzad, the American citizen of Pakistani origin who has been accused of the failed Times Square bombing plot, is said to be the son of former Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Air Vice Marshal Baharul Haq.

According to television reports, Haq was seen vacating his house situated in a posh locality of Hayatabad town as soon as media started converging outside his residence to learn more about Shahzad.

Eyewitnesses said Haq along with other male and female members of the family left for some unknown destination in a car to avoid the media glare, The News reports.

None of Shahzad’s family members have spoken to the media about his arrest in New York over alleged involvement in terror activities.

Air Vice Marshal Haq had retired from the Pakistan Air Force few years ago. His brother Major General (retired) Tajul Haq reportedly served as the Inspector General of Frontier Corps (IGFC).

Shahzad, 30, was arrested on Tuesday while he was trying to board a plane to Dubai. Soon after his arrest media reports said that eight to ten people had also been arrested in Pakistan in connection with the failed bombing plot.

Earlier, US officials said Shahzad has admitted to his role in the Times Square bombing plot, saying he had received bomb-making training in Pakistan.

During interrogation, Shahzad, who had returned from Pakistan in February, said that he received training in the restive tribal region in Pakistan along the Afghanistan border, a stronghold of the Tehreeke-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), adding that he was alone in the bombing plot and didn’t receive any help from banned terror groups operating from that region.

Meanwhile, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is also trying to establish if there are any links between Shahzad and David Coleman Headley, the Pakistani-American man charged with scouting targets for the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. (ANI)

Marshal Arjan Singh’s portrait unveiled by Air Force Chief

New Delhi, May 3 (ANI): A portrait of the legendary Indian Air Force figure and a national icon, Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh, was unveiled by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal PV Naik.

The Indian Air Force Chief unveiled the portrait on Monday today evening at the Akash Air Force Officers’ Mess.

Marshal Arjan Singh (93), the only living five star chief of the armed forces, said that it is just the recognition of the work done for the Air Force for the past many decades.

Speaking on the occasion, Air Chief Marshal Naik said: “It is a special privilege as the Marshal is the only five star official amongst all the three services at the present moment. He is an icon and his exploits for the Indian Air Force are very well known.”

“It is privilege to have his picture in the Akash Mess, which is a special Air Force Mess. So that’s the significance of this particular unveiling,” he added.

The evening was graced by the who’s who of Delhi glitterati, wanting to be a part of this momentous occasion.

Sanjay Bhattacharyya, who is a renowned painter and holds a diploma in Fine Arts from the Government College of Arts and Crafts, Kolkata, has painted the portrait of the Marshal.

Bhattacharyya is a painter of repute not only in India but also abroad. His artistic works are not only displayed in Rashtrapati Bhavan, but also can be seen in Parliament House, India House London, the World Bank, The Taj, The Oberoi and many other distinguished institutions.

He has now associated himself with the Air Force by painting the portrait of Marshal Arjan Singh. (ANI)

Air Marshal Raha assumes charge of Western Air Command’s Senior Air Staff Officer

New Delhi, Apr 1 (ANI): Air Marshal Arup Raha on Thursday assumed the office of the Senior Air Staff Officer at Western Air Command in New Delhi.

An alumnus of National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla, Air Marshal Raha was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force in 1974.

Air Marshal Raha has approximately 3400 hours of flying to his credit.

A fighter combat leader and an experienced flying instructor, Air Marshal Raha is also an alumnus of the Tri-Services Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) and National Defence College (NDC).

He has held various important field and staff appointments, besides serving as a Director (staff) at the Flying Instructors School (FIS), Tambaram and Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE), Gwalior.

Air Marshal Raha has also functioned as an Inspector in the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection (DASI), at Air Head Quarters, Military and Air Attaché in Indian Embassies in Kyiv, Ukraine and Deputy Commandant at Air Force Academy, Hyderabad.

He has commanded a MiG-29 Squadron and two frontline bases in the Western Air Command and is the Commodore Commandant of 47 Squadron,a Mig- 29 Squadron known as the ‘Black Archers’.

Prior to his present appointment, Air Marshal Raha was commanding the Advance Head Quarters, Western Air Command, Chandimandir.

For his distinguished service Air Marshal Raha was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 1995 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2009. (ANI)

Air Marshal Karnik to take over as Director General (Inspection and Safety)

New Delhi, Mar 31 (ANI): Air Marshal Ajay Shriniwas Karnik will on April 1 take over as Director General (Inspection and Safety) at Air Headquarters in RK Puram.

An alumnus of National Defence Academy Khadakvasla, he was commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF in Jun 1972.

Air Marshal Karnik has flown over 3000 hours on fighter aircraft like MiG-21 Bis and MiG-29.

A fighter combat leader and a qualified flying instructor, he is also an alumnus of Air War College, University of United States Air Force (USAF), Montgomery, USA.

Having trained in the erstwhile USSR on MiG-29, Karnik went on to command a prestigious MiG-29 Squadron. He has also commanded important operational Air Force bases in the Western Desert Sector and the Western Coastal Region of India.

Air Marshal Karnik has a vast experience in operational flying, training, Command and Staff appointments, as he has served as Head of Training Team (Air) and Senior Instructor at the premier tri-services Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, and Air Officer Commanding, Maritime Air Operations, Mumbai.

He has also served as Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) Eastern Air Command (EAC), Shillong.

The President of India has awarded him Ati Vishist Seva Medal and Vayu Sena Medal for his distinguished service of very high order.

Air Marshal Karnik is presently Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) at Western Air Command. (ANI)

Army Chief feels infiltration continues due to repeated attempts made by militants

New Delhi, Mar 30 (ANI): Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor said on Tuesday that militants become successful in infiltrating into the Indian side of the Line of Control because of their continued attempts.

General Kapoor made the statement after handing over the baton of Chairman”s office in Chiefs of Staff Committee (COC) to Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik here.

“This is a matter of understanding that if infiltrators continue to make their attempts to enter the Indian side, as they are being supported by their organisations, they will become successful at some point of time. But whenever they tried to infiltrate, we detected them,” he said.

“Almost eight militants got killed during the encounters by our deployed troops. The rest of the militants fled towards the other side of Line of Control. So this is a good job done by our security forces. The militants would continue with their infiltration attempts. We would be able to take actions only if they would come towards us,” he added.

Eight militants of the Laskhar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen were killed during an encounter on March 23 in Kern sector of Jammu and Kashmir”s Kupwara district. (ANI)

US to give Pak 14 F-16 jets: PAF chief

Islamabad, Mar.27 (ANI): Pakistan Air Force (PAF) chief Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman has claimed that the US has agreed to provide 14 F-16 combat jets to Islamabad.

Talking to media persons during a press conference here, Air Chief Marshal Suleman said Pakistan would be getting more than a dozen F-16 jets, which would enhance the PAF’s capability to a great extent.

He said the PAF is capable of thwarting both ‘conventional’ and ‘unconventional’ threats from the enemy.

“The Pakistan Air Force is focusing on its preparedness and is taking stock of it preparations according to the modern trends,” The News quoted Air Chief Marshal Suleman, as saying.

In 1990, the U.S. halted the production of a third and fourth batch of F-16s ordered by Pakistan, due to its”s nuclear weapons program. 40 F-16A/B aircraft had been delivered under the Peace Gate I and II programs, however none of the Peace Gate III and IV aircraft were delivered.

However, in 2005 Islamabad finally received the go-ahead to order 24 additional F-16s, which was believed to an explicit reward for General Pervez Musharraf”s support in the ‘war on terror.’ (ANI)

Visiting Bangladesh Army Chief receives Guard of Honour in New Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 15(ANI): Bangladesh Army Chief General Mohammed Abdul Mubeen, who is on a five-day visit to India, was given a Guard of Honour in the national capital on Monday.

Earlier on Sunday, General Mubeen, who arrived with his wife and a four-member army delegation, was received by the Deputy Director General of Indian Military Intelligence Air Marshal S. C. Malhan at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

During his visit, General Mubeen will call on Indian Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor and discuss matters of professional interest and bilateral military issues.

He will also visit Indian Army establishments.

This is Mubeen”s maiden tour of India after his appointment as the chief of army staff last year.

General Kapoor had earlier visited Dhaka on a six-day tour in July 2008, five months after his the then counterpart and Mubeen”s predecessor General Moeen U Ahmed visited India. (ANI)

India Air Force activates Nyoma airfield close to China border

New Delhi, Sep 18 (ANI): The Indian Air Force in a significant move today activated its Nyoma Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) to support the Army in carrying out operations in the inhospitable terrain.

An IAF AN-32 aircraft landed at Nyoma ALG, which is located at an altitude of 13,300 feet in Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir, at 6:25 a.m. today. It is located 23 kms from the Line of Actual Control. (LAC).

The successful landing of a fixed wing aircraft at Nyoma marks the culmination of joint effort by the IAF and Indian Army to enable the IAF to operate in the inhospitable terrain of Leh-Ladakh region in support of the Army.

The landing comes just fifteen months after an AN-32 landed at Daulat-Beg-Oldie (DBO), the highest airfield in the world situated at an altitude of 16,200 feet.

Group Captain SC Chafekar touched down on the Nyoma airstrip. Air Marshal NAK Browne, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command and Lieutenant General PC Bharadwaj, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command on board.

Though helicopters have been landing at this ALG, this is for the first time that a fixed wing aircraft has landed at the compact airstrip of Nyoma.

After deliberating on all aspects and carrying out aerial and ground inspection, it was concluded that Nyoma could be developed for fixed wing operations as well.

The Engineer Regiments of 14 Corps undertook the herculean task of developing the ALG to the standards required for fixed wing operations.

Joint development of Nyoma braving the extremely difficult working conditions and hostile weather is yet another step towards enhanced joint partnership between the two services.

Nyoma has been developed with an aim to connect the remote areas of Ladakh region to the mainland. This would also ensure movements in the area when the road traffic gets affected, during the harsh winters besides enabling improved communication network in the region. (ANI)

Western Command Air and Army chiefs meet

Chandigarh, Sep.10 (ANI): Lt. Gen. T K Sapru, GOC-in-C, Western Command and Air Marshal N A K Browne, AOC-in-C, Western Air command met at the Western Command headquarters at Chandimandir on Thursday.

Air Marshal Browne, who is on his maiden visit to the city after taking over as the Western Air Command chief, held discussions on various issues, including synergy in conduct of joint operations between the Army and the Air Force with Lt. Gen. Sapru.

Air Marshal Browne also visited Advance HQ, WAC, where he was received by Air Vice Marshal Arup Raha AOC Advance HQ WAC, Chandimandir. He also interacted with Officers and personnel of Advance HQ during his visit.

Kiran Browne, President, AFWWA (r) also paid a visit to the military station and interacted with the families of air force personnel and also visited the Asha School and AWWA Vocational Training Centre (AVTC) at Chandimandir. (ANI)

Air Chief inaugurates Tele-Presence System

New Delhi, Sep. 9 (ANI): Indian Air Force took another significant step in its quest for acquiring Network Centric Capabilities when Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal PV Naik inaugurated the ‘Tele-Presence System’ under the Air Force Network (AFNET) project today.

This system facilitates lifelike experience between two distant sites for holding operational discussions that results in saving crucial time, fatigue and cost.

During the Tele-Presence session, Air Chief Marshal PV Naik advocated the use of the system extensively for operational and other procurement and training activities in order to cut down costs in economically tough times.

The Air Chief congratulated the AF Net team for achieving yet another milestone.

From the Bangalore site, this conference was attended by Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command.

The system uses high definition cameras, spatial audio and calibrated acoustic systems for providing real-life experience which cannot be achieved by other video conferencing systems.

Tele-Presence system rides over IAF’s state-of-the-art IP/MPLS network providing adequate reliability and security. (ANI)

Air Marshal NAK Browne meets Punjab Governor

Chandigarh, Sep. 9 (ANI): Western Air Command chief Air Marshal NAK Browne met Punjab Governor and Administrator UT, Chandigarh on Wednesday.

Air Marshal Browne is on a two day visit to Air Force Station Chandigarh.

Air Marshal Browne was presented with a Guard of Honour on his arrival at the station. He later addressed the station personnel and interacted with the key appointments.

He also reviewed the operational and training preparedness of the various units based at the Air Force Station Chandigarh.

The day also saw Air Marshal Browne paying a visit to General (Retd) SF Rodrigues.

Air Marshal Browne would also be meeting Lieutenant General TK Sapru, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command.

The Western Command is one of the three important affiliated Army Commands of the Western Air Command, the other two being South Western Command and Northern Command. (ANI)

PAF using unmanned drones in war exercise

Islamabad, Sep.5 (ANI): The Pakistan Air Force (PAF), for the first time, is using unmanned UAV drone planes in its ongoing annual war exercise in Sargodha.

The focus of the drill named ‘Saffron Bandit 2009-10′ is to train fighter pilots in counter insurgency operations and carrying out precision attacks on militant hideouts.

Briefing media persons about the exercise at the Air Force Headquarters, Deputy Chief of Air Staff Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Hasan said the drills were aimed at training the PAF for operations against the terrorists.

“PAF is employing for the first time in the recent drills pilotless UAV drone planes to target the enemies. It was due to the precision of PAF planning that common people were not among the casualties,” Air Vice Marshal Hasan said.

Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman also inspected the drill, The News reports.

Air Vice Marshal Hasan also informed that a joint military exercise, Exercise High Mark 2010, involving both the Army and the Air Force would be held next year. (ANI)

Air Marshal KJ Mathews appointed as new AOP of IAF

New Delhi, Sep. 1 (ANI): Air Marshal KJ Mathews on Tuesday took over as the new Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel (AOP), the Head of Human Resources of the Indian Air Force (IAF) at Air Headquarters.

Commissioned in the year 1973, the Air Marshal has over 3,500 hours of flying to his credit on various aircraft that include HF-24 (Marut), Hunter, MiG-21M and MiG-29.

He was also a team member of “Thunderbolts” – IAF’s erstwhile Aerobatic Team.

His appointments include-Station Commander of an operational base during Kargil operations, Air Officer Commanding of Air Force Station Adampur, Principal Director of Concept Studies, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Operations) at Air HQ and Commandant, Air Force Academy before his current appointment.

Air Marshal Mathews is an alumnus of National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and Air War College, USA. (ANI)

New Commanders for Southern Command of Indian Navya and Air force

Kochi (Kerala), Aug 31(ANI): The southern commands of the Indian Navy and Air Force based in Kerala were assigned new commanding heads on Monday.

Vice Admiral KN Sushil took over as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command (SNC) from Vice Admiral SK Damle at a ceremonial parade held at the naval base in Kochi.

Commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1973, Admiral KN Sushil joined the submarine arm in 1976 and has served on both the Vela class and the Shishumar class submarines.

Air Marshal Sumit Mukerjee will be the new Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Air Command and will assume charge on September 1, 2009.

Prior to this, Air Marshal Mukerjee was the Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel at Air Headquarters in New Delhi.

He is the only pilot in the history of IAF to have commanded units with the Mig-21, Mig-23U, Mig-25, Mig-27 and Mig-29 aircraft.

Air Marshal Sumit Mukerjee was commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF on January 22, 1972. By Juhan Samuel (ANI)

Chief of Air Staff releases coffee table book on UN Mission

New Delhi, July 3 (ANI): Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal PV Naik here today released a coffee table book – ‘Indian Aviation Contingent: An indelible odyssey in UN peace keeping’, chronicling the activities of the IAF contingent in Democratic Republic of Congo.

Complimenting the Contingent Commander Gp Captain Pankaj Jaiswal, Air Chief Marshal PV Naik said that their professional acumen and gentlemanly conduct has earned worldwide admiration.

The Indian Air Force has been operating a contingent of Mi-35s and Mi-17s, for the UN Mission in Congo (MONUC).

They have recently completed four years in the line of fire, carrying out many daring missions and bringing stability to the war torn region.

The IAF had deployed Canberras in Congo as far back as 1960, and have continued a longstanding tradition of contributing to peace operations in the African continent. (ANI)

Don’t fool people by claiming “premature”success in Swat operation : former PAF official

Islamabad, July 1 (ANI): While the Pakistan government has been claiming that the Swat military offensive has been successful and nearing its end, a former Pakistan Air Force (PAF) top official, Air Marshal (retired) Masood Akhter has raised questions over the claims by saying that people shouldn’t be fooled through such statements.

During a discussion on ‘Post-Swat Operation Outlook’ here, Akhter said people should not hope that the war against terrorism and the extremist threat would end within a few weeks.

“We shouldn’t befool people by saying war against militancy will end within a few weeks. The army is rendering sacrifices there and we must support it but it’ll take some time to completely defeat these elements,” The Daily Times quoted Akhter, as saying.

Akhter said the military offensive in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) would continue until militants are rooted out from region, and added that it was in Pakistan’s interest to quell extremism.

“It’s our war because it threatens our vital national interest and our moderate way of life, and the non-state actors are also threatening all of us,” he added.

Akhter highlighted that the government’s work should not be limited to flushing out of the militants, but it should also cover the post-war scenario.

“The government should socially and ideologically isolate adversaries, sever links between local terrorists and international jihadis, and wean people away from religious extremism,” he said. (ANI)

Grand old IAF air warrior passes away at 93

New Delhi, June 29 (ANI): Group Captain Gurdial Singh Paul, who served in the Indian Air Force from its formative years, passed away on Saturday. He was 93.

Singh was cremated near Brar Square, today. A wreath was placed on behalf of the IAF by Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station, Race Course, Air Commodore Ajit S Bhonsle.

Born on November 3, 1916, in Chittavatni in Pakistan, Singh studied at the Khalsa College, Amritsar.He joined the Royal Air Force and was commissioned to the IAF at Air Force Station Tambram.

In 1943, he visited the UK for training, sailing from Mumbai to Durban to Southampton on the Elle de France, encountering German U-boat in the Atlantic. He spent time at various stations of the RAF in London, Cranfield, and Branham etc.

He had the privilege to serve in the same Squadron as the actor, Clark Gable. At times, Gurdial flew over occupied France and Germany on air reconnaissance flights and on more than one occasion, had close encounters with the German Messerschmitt.

In 1946, he married Jaswant Kaur. The partition of India caused the personal losses of his in-laws, with Gurdial being in Lahore on his way from Peshawar.

He had served with officers of the like of Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh, Air Chief Marshal I H Latif, Air Marshal S Mukherjee, Air Marshal Rajaram, AVM Pinto, Air Commodore Mehar Baba, Group Captain Sarkar and Wing Commander Majumdar (an ace pilot during the 40s).

After serving at the Air Force stations Jalahalli and Secunderabad, Singh worked at Air Headquarters, New Delhi for several years in the Adminstration Branch, eventually going to Air Force Station Avadi as Station Commander in 1967. Before this tenure, it was the Staff College Hyderabad and NDC, New Delhi. He retired from the Air Force in 1971, as Station Commander Race Course, New Delhi.

Singh is survived by his wife, two daughters, a son and three grand children. (ANI)

Indigenous JF-17 Thunder aircrafts to start flying by year-end: PAF chief

Islamabad, June 28 (ANI): Pakistan’s Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, has said that indigenously made JF-17 Thunder fighter aircrafts would start flying by this year-end.

Speaking at a function at the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) base in Mushaf in Sargodha, Air Chief Marshal Suleman said the JF-17 Thunder programme is heading in the right direction, and the production of the jets would begin from June 30 .

“We will start production of this aircraft from 30th of this month and the first Pakistan-made JF-17 aircraft will fly in the country’s airspace by the end of this year,” The Dawn quoted Air Chief Marshal Suleman, as saying.

He said Pakistan is facing several challenges from within its borders and beyond, and thus its response to them should be looked in a broader perspective.

“The challenges, both internal and external, that confronts us today and our responses to these have to be viewed in the broader perspective of the changes that are shaping the geopolitical landscape of the world,” said Air Chief Marshal Suleman.

“Apart from the traditional hostile adversary, new frontiers of conflict have lately emerged for us in the West and from within. These developments pose a great deal of threat to our national security,” he added.

Commenting on the Swat military operation, Air Chief Marshal Suleman said the air force has been providing support to the troops on the ground, and it would continue to pound the extremists in future also.

“The PAF has extensively flown against militants in Swat and Fata and application of airpower has brought about tangible results. We will continue our contribution towards our national security effort,” he said. (ANI)