Our fight was against terror infrastructure, but Pakistan military chose to support terrorists and widened conflict: Air Marshal AK Bharti

Air Marshal AK Bharti, Director General Air Operations (DGAO), on Monday said that India's battle was with terrorists but the Pakistani military chose to support terrorists and widened the conflict.

"We also reiterated that our fight was with terrorists and their support infrastructure and not with Pakistan military. However, it is a pity that the Pakistan military chose to intervene and bat for the terrorists which compelled us to respond in kind," Air Marshall Bharti said, adding that they are responsible for all the damage caused to them.



The DGAO talked about how the Indian forces blunted the Pakistan's offensive and reduced damage to both civilian and military infrastructure in the country. He added that Indian Air Defence Systems have a large range of AD sensors and weapon systems.


"This brings me to the point how have Indian Forces managed to minimise the damage to both civilians and military infra in the country, in spite of unrelenting efforts by the Pakistani forces. Most of you and the majority populace within the country have had a lot of say about the layered and integrated air defence systems put in place by the Armed Forces which includes the assets of the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. This robust AD system comprises a large variety of multi-layered AD sensors and weapons systems."

Bharti further said that India's older and proven defence systems also stood the test of time to take the opponent's offensive head-on.

Our battle-proven systems stood the test of time and take them head on. Another highlight has been the stellar performance of the indigenous air defence system, the Akash system. Putting together and operationalising the potent AD environment has been possible only because of budgetary and policy support from the government of India in the last decade."