B'lore to get IAF cover against terror attack

Aiming to prevent any 9/11 type attack in the country, the IAF is planning to deploy detachments of fighter aircraft close to Mumbai, Delhi and Pune besides Bangalore to scuttle such attempts.

Under its plan, a small detachment of three to four dedicated aircraft would be deployed close to these cities to provide cover against any threats from hijacked aircraft, low speed and high speed aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), micro-light aircraft, paragliders, balloons and remote-controlled aero models.

“Now also, the IAF provides aerial protection to these cities but under the new plan, it will have dedicated aircraft round-the-clock for carrying out these responsibilities,” senior Defence Ministry officials said.

The protection provided to these cities would be the same as that provided to the national Capital during the Commonwealth Games, they added.

Officials said that to provide a robust aerial cover to these cities, the IAF will also go ahead with strengthening of its ground-based infrastructure and enhance capabilities for an early detection of incoming enemy aircraft.