Reopening of airfields in east Ladakh mean no more than reactivating the old ones

Reopening of airfields in eastern Ladakh bordering China in recent times meant no more than simply 'reactivating' those which were lying there without operation for many years that would also benefit local population.

The outgoing Chief of Air Staff Indian Airforce Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major told this to local media in Leh today during his special visit here to give his farewell address to the air warriors of Airforce Station Leh as his retirement is due in the end of this month.

Hindu in its April 7 edition says, "After successfully reopening the Daulat Beg Oldi and Fuk Che airfields in Ladakh last year, India is now working vigorously to operationalise the Neoma Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) this year for the Indian Air Force (IAF), close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China."

In his address to the air warriors Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major said, India is perhaps most stable and peaceful country to its neigbours and a few days ago nation went to polls to come out successfuly. He reminded the air warriors their responsibility to protect this country and 'a great democracy.'

He was closely associated with Leh as in 1999, he took over as the Air Officer Commanding Leh (Ladakh), in the aftermath of the Kargil conflict.