Kolkata: Different Air Force stations in West Bengal under the Eastern Air Command remain highly alert even after the announced ceasefire between India and Pakistan. The perimeter of these installations has been kept out of the reach of the general public.
Boards banning photography, the use of drones and the parking of vehicles around the perimeter wall of the air force station in West Bengal’s Hasimara in Alipurduar district have been done.
The flying squadrons have been asked to remain war-ready, and visitors to the air force stations were under greater scrutiny.
Hasimara is strategically located near the India-Bhutan border. It is the closest air base to Chumbi Valley, in the tri-junction of Sikkim, Bhutan and Tibet. The second squadron of Rafale fighter jets was inducted into the 101 squadron I’m Hasimara in 2021.
The Hasimara air force station has held several meetings with the police and the forest department, too. Sniffer dogs have been brought in and naka points have been set up on the highway skirting the air force station.
The commanding officers of the air force station in Kalaikunda in Paschim Medinipur district too has strengthened surveillance to secure the military assets, including sensors, radars and air defence systems.
The vigil on unmanned aerial systems has been upper to guard vital assets. These include new weapon systems that are a part of the integrated air command and control systems (IACCS) under the Indian Air Force.
The Kalaikunda air force station remains a vital training hub for fighter pilots under the Eastern Air Command. It had hosted several joint military training exercises with other air forces, including the last one with Singapore in 2024.
