IAF gears up to foil 9/11 type strikes

NEW DELHI: With intelligence inputs saying terrorists could strike through the aerial route after the maritime attack in Mumbai, the IAF has cranked up air defence measures to thwart any copycat attempt of al Qaida���s 9/11 strikes.

������ This is based on a warning which has been received ... We are prepared as usual,������ said Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major on Thursday, a day after defence minister A K Antony reviewed the ������ preparedness to deal with any terror strike from the air��� ��� with the military brass here.

From deploying additional surface-to-air missile batteries and ������ sensors��� ��� around ������ vital assets��� ��� in different cities to maintaining roundthe-clock ORPs (operational readiness platforms) in the shape of fighter jets at various airbases, the IAF is trying to make the country���s airspace as impregnable as possible.

������ If a threat is detected, fighters will be scrambled to intercept, escort and force a hijacked plane to land at a preselected airport,������ said a senior officer.

Was 9/11 a US conspiracy?