Kalmadi blames AJT delay for air crashes

Ahead of the meeting between Air Force headquarters and Defence Minister George Fernandes, Congress MP Suresh Kalmadi issued a statement tod...

Ahead of the meeting between Air Force headquarters and Defence Minister George Fernandes, Congress MP Suresh Kalmadi issued a statement today blaming the delay in acquiring an Advanced Jet Trainer for the rising number of IAF plane crashes.

Meanwhile, three more persons injured in Tuesday’s Jaguar crash succumbed to their injuries today taking the death toll to nine even as IAF authorities announced compensation for the victims.

Air Marshal R.C. Mahadik today announced a relief of Rs 40,000 to the next of kin of each of the dead and Rs 20,000 to those of minor victims. He said temporary boarding arrangements would be provided for the families whose houses were destroyed.

Interestingly, Air Force officials say the Jaguar that crashed in Ambala has a good track record and has little to do with the AJT acquisition. However, Kalmadi pointed out that Fernandes had given repeated assurances on quick acquisition and even said in Parliament that the whole process would be completed by December 2000. Kalmadi, a former Air Force pilot as well as a member of the Standing Committee on Defence, says the ‘‘deadline is over and the AJT is nowhere in sight.’’

Debris found in Dal Lake could be from missile Pak fired during Op Sindoor

India1 hr ago

Debris believed to be from a missile fired by Pakistan during Operation Sindoor in May has been found in Srinagar's Dal Lake. The debris has been handed over to the Air Force for further investigation. Sources say the target may have been a military installation in Srinagar, which is close to the lake. The make of the missile is yet to be determined.

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