By: Shubham Ghosh
Shubham Ghosh
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (29) chaired a high-level meeting with his defence minister Rajnath Singh, home minister Amit Shah and national security adviser Ajit Doval on “futuristic challenges” in the defence sector, just days after the drone attack in the Indian Air Force’s station in Jammu airport.
The top leaders discussed on equipping the Indian armed forces with modern equipment. It was the first time that drones were used to conduct a terrorist attack on the Indian soil. The meeting also happened soon after Singh returned from this three-day visit to Leh, Ladakh, and the situation at the China border also reportedly featured in the discussion.
Following Sunday’s attacks in which two bombs were exploded, damaging a building and slightly injuring two personnel, a series of drones were spotted in Jammu in the early hours of Tuesday (29). The Indian troops thwarted another attempt of a drone attack on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday (28) by opening fire at drones spotted over the Kaluchak-Ratnuchak military area along Jammu-Pathankot highway.
“A major threat was thwarted by the alertness and proactive approach of troops. The security forces are on high alert and a search operation is in progress,’’ Army PRO Lieutenant Colonel Devender Anand had said.
While security forces are aware of drones carrying deadly weapons and ammunition from across the international border, the possible use of commercially available cheap drones to drop explosives is a new threat.
Opposition wants comprehensive policy to tackle drone attacks
Earlier in the day, the opposition Congress party said a credible and comprehensive policy is required to tackle drone attacks from Pakistan-based terror outfits. Congress general secretary and chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the Modi government needs to act on the strategic advice of experts and not focus on mere headlines management.
Meanwhile security has been beefed up around vital installations across Kashmir in view of the possibility of more drone attacks.
