33 yrs on, IAF to start operations from Ladakh airbase

The Indian Air Force is planning to start operations from its highest airfield in Dawalatbaig in Ladakh, along China border. The airfield was closed in 1965. It will be made operational some time in June, Chief Western Air Command Air Marshal P K Barbora said. “We hope to fly an AN-32 from the Dawalatbaig airfield to kickstart the operations,” the Air Marshal said. “By making this airfield operational, we want to show to the world that we are capable of managing airfield at such a high altitude,” he said. Set up in 1962, the Dawalatbaig airbase was used in the China war. This airbase is close to China, especially to the strategic Karakoram pass. It was used the last time for landing fixed winged aircraft in 1965.