Kolkata: The Eastern Air Command of the Indian Air Force (IAF) for the first time carried out fighter aircraft operations from civil airfields of Guwahati, Kolkata and Andal. The two-day operation which aims improving war-time preparedness began on Wednesday and will continue over the next 48 hours. Su-30 MKI jets operated from Kolkata & Guwahati, and the Hawk jets from Andal airfield. The fighters carried out both day and night flying operations during the exercise.

also read Before the Election Result, Congress Chief Rahul Gandhi speak up on BJP and Congress winning prospect

Here it is to be noted that in of the tweets, the IAF said, “Eastern Air Command of IAF carried out fighter aircraft operations from civil airfields of Guwahati, Kolkata & Andal. Aim was to validate the fighter operating procedure, familiarise the crew with airfields & exercise coordination with civil agencies for such operations.". In another tweet, the force shared the video of the operation. It tweeted, “The two-day operations were conducted on 01 & 02 May 19. The frontline SU-30MKI aircraft operated from Kolkata & Guwahati, and the Hawk jets from Andal airfield. The fighters carried out both day and night flying operations during the exercise.”

However, it is worth mentioning here that the IAF is now focusing on strengthening the eastern sector to curtail China’s increasing dominance. Air Commodore Sashank Mishra told NDTV, “For a Sukhoi Su30 class aircraft, this is the first time they are conducting drills from Guwahati or any other civil airfield in the northeast. Our focus was more on the western front earlier, but we are now increasing our focus in the east since our eastern neighbour is increasing its capabilities, and we need to have a serious deterrent in order to emulate any threat that may emerge in the future.” Last year in April, the IAF also conducted its mega war exercise Gagan Shakti. During the exercise, a total of 11,000 sorties were carried out, out of these 9,000 were conducted by fighters like Sukhoi-30MKIs, Mirage-2000s, Jaguars, MiG-29s, MiG-21s, MiG-27s, Tejas and the Hawk advanced jet trainers.

also read Ravana also dressed like a saint when he came to abduct Sita: Javed Akhtar's dig at Sadhvi Pragya