Government to give casualty figure in airstrike: IAF chief

NEW DELHI: IAF chief Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa said Monday that the "death toll depends on the number of people present in target", and the "IAF doesn't count number of dead" and the "casualty figure in air strike on Balakot camp will be given by government," referring to the air strike on February 26, 2019.

Commenting on the aerial dogfight between India and Pakistan, the Air Chief Marshal said that the MiG-21 used against the F-16 is an upgraded aircraft with advanced weapons system. "The MiG-21 Bison is a capable aircraft, it has been upgraded, it has better radar, air-to air missiles and better weapons system. When the adversary attacks you, every aircraft available is used," he explained in his briefing to the media.

"The target has been clearly amplified by the Foreign Secretary in his statement. If we plan to hit the target, we hit the target, otherwise why would he (Pakistan PM) have responded, if we dropped bombs in the jungles why would he respond,"the air force chief commented.


Commenting on the Pakistani F-16 aircraft, BS Dhanoa said, "I do not know the conditions of the deal between US and Pakistan, whether it was not supposed to be used for offensive purposes. But we have pieces of the AMRAAM and we have clear evidence that F-16s were used by Pakistan."