Armed forces not needed to fight Naxals, says IAF chief

“We have the capability to conduct strikes with utmost precision. However, it must be understood that if a 250 kg bomb is dropped at a spot, its impact will be in a radius of at least 800 metres and that may affect many people who may not themselves be insurgents,” Air Chief Marshal P V told reporters. At the same time, he said his personal view is that the armed forces are not required to fight the Maoists.

“If at all a situation arises where the use of Air Force becomes inevitable, there has to be a clarity on the magnitude of the force we are supposed to use so that the collateral damage is minimum.”

“After all, we are dealing with our own people in our own territory,” the IAF chief said.
Replying to a query, he said: “So far we have not been approached by the home ministry for any type of help in combating Naxalites.”