A top Indian Air Force official said on Wednesday that there are no plans “at the moment” to capture the Pakistan-occupied part of Kashmir (PoK), but expressed hope that one day India will have “the whole of Kashmir”. At an event here on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the landing of Indian troops in Budgam, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Western Air Command, Air Marshal Amit Dev told reporters that Pakistanis along with the people in PoK Not being treated fairly.
“The independence of this part of Kashmir was ensured as a result of the action taken by the Indian Air Force and the Army (on October 27, 1947). I am sure that someday the part of Kashmir, occupied by Pakistan, will also be included in this part of Kashmir and in the coming years we will have the whole of Kashmir”, he said.
However, when asked whether the force has any plans to capture PoK, Air Marshal Dev said there are no plans at the moment. Entire Kashmir is one, nation is one. People on both sides have equal affection. Be it today or tomorrow, history is witness that nations come together. At the moment we don’t have any plan, but God willing, it will happen because people in Pakistan occupied part of Kashmir are not being treated very fairly by Pakistanis.
Indian troops arrived in Kashmir on October 27, 1947, a day after the then Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession with India following Pakistani tribal raids. He said that the Indian Air Force has to face many challenges, but one of the basic challenges is technology. He said, “The rate of change of technology is so fast in the world today that we have to keep pace with it. If a country has to develop economically then it should have a strong army, we should fulfill our obligation towards the nation in the coming years and we are always ready for the challenge.”
He said, “The Indian Air Force has become a very capable force and in the years to come, we will continue to serve the nation with honor.” When asked about the drone strikes, Air Marshal Dev said that they Can only cause minimal damage. “We had equipment ready against it (drone attacks) and it was deployed here as well. Now we are increasing the deployment by purchasing more equipment. Drone challenge is a small challenge and whenever this challenge comes, we will be able to tackle that challenge.” He said that the celebration of 75 years of entry of Indian soldiers into Budgam is a historic occasion.
