India TV's ground report from Bhisiana Air Force station
It is no secret that Pakistan dreads India's military prowess, more so after the successful airstrikes targeting terror camps in Balakot. So much so that Pakistan closed its airspace for Indian flights till May 30 even as it opened it for all except New Delhi, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur on March 27. Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority had also notified the decision to the airmen, issuing a notification (Notam) to pilots, advising them of circumstances relating to the state of flying.
India TV's ground report from Bhisiana Air Force station
In the same backdrop, India TV's Defence Correspondent Manish Prasad has come out with an exclusive ground report from Bhisiana Air Force station on the great strength and capability of the Indian Airforce. The Squadron is also known as 'Golden Arrows' squadron.
We also take you to the base of AEWACS (Airborne Early Warning and Control System) 'Netra'. It is the home-made eye in the sky, which has been completely functional post the Balakot airstrikes. The squadron is known as Skand Squadron. Specific inputs were given from here about the movement of Pakistan fighter aircraft packages in the formation of F16, JF17 and their AWACS (Saab) too.
India TV's ground report from Bhisiana Air Force station
The Bathinda airbase is 72 kilometers from the International Border. Any fighter aircraft of the Indian AirForce will take approximately 5-6 minutes from the base to counter any Pakistani misadventure. Bhisiana airbase is a strategic one, which is also a Control and Coordination Center for air superiority of the Indian Airforce 24/7, especially for the western border.
India TV's ground report from Bhisiana Air Force station
Post the Balakot strikes, the IAF has been actively monitoring 13 active airbases in Pakistan. These include Karachi, Jacobabad, Quetta, Thatta, Sargodha, Peshawar, Rawal Pindi.
On February 14, a suicide bomber, Ahmed Adil Dar, rammed a bus into a CRPF convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama and took the lives of as many as 40 jawans.
Later, the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) claimed responsibility for the attack. Jaish is said to be based in Pakistan.
Pakistan, however, continued to maintain it had no links with Jaish.
India TV's ground report from Bhisiana Air Force station
In retaliation, India carried out an airstrike in Pakistan's Balakot -- in the aftermath of which Islamabad downed New Delhi's MiG 21 Bison fighter jet and captured IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.
Pakistan refuted these reports too, saying the airstrike was never attempted for any damage to have happened.
