The casualty figure in the air strike on the Balakot camp will be given out by the government, Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa said on Monday, while asserting that the Indian Air Force does not count the number of dead.
Addressing a press conference in Coimbatore, Dhanoa said the death toll depends on the number of people present at the target. The remarks were the first comments by Dhanoa since the February 26 attack on a Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in Balakot in Pakistan.
“When an adversary attacks you, every aircraft is used,” Dhanoa said, adding that the MiG 21 jet used in the dogfight with Pakistan was an upgraded aircraft with advanced weapons systems.
Referring to Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured by Pakistan on February 27 as tensions between the countries escalated, Dhanoa said he can't comment on the politics but was happy the officer was back home. "We don't take chances with the medical fitness of a pilot," he said, adding that Abhinandan would fly a fighter jet if he was fit.
All required treatment will be given to Wing Commander Abhinandan, Dhanoa said. Abhinandan was released by Pakistan on Friday.
Referring to recent accidents, Dhanoa said the Indian Air Force has to get its act together and find out what caused the mid-air collision ahead of the opening of Aero India on February 19 and a helicopter crash in Kashmir last week.
