| Chandigarh |
Updated: December 15, 2019 9:38:47 am
Former Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa (retd) on Saturday said the Balakot strike was aimed at sending across the message to Pakistani establishments and terrorist organisations that there will be a price to pay for terror strikes in India. He also said the Indian Air Force (IAF) could not impose significant costs on the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on February 27, a day after the air strike when the neighbour counter-attacked. He blamed protracted negotiations for new fighter aircraft which would have given IAF a decisive edge.
The former air chief was speaking at a discussion on ‘Understanding the message of Balakot' at the Military Literature Festival here.
“On our side, apart from stupid mistakes for which remedial measures have been taken and people responsible will be punished (reference to shooting down helicopter in friendly fire), we could not impose significant costs on PAF on February 27. In a limited period engagement, the biggest lesson is that technology matters. This we have addressed to a limited extent. What about the…