New Delhi: A Keralite officer strategised Indian Air Force's preemptive strike in Pakistan Tuesday.
It was the Western Air Command under Air Marshal C Hari Kumar, the Air Office Commanding-in-Chief, which planned the attack that destroyed terror camps in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and even on Pakistan soil. Meanwhile, another Keralite is keeping a close eye on the eastern flank amid tension and skirmishes on the western border with Pakistan soon after Tuesday's air strike.
The Western Air Command, the largest regional command of the IAF, has its headquarters in New Delhi. It is responsible for security on the western border with Pakistan.
Hari Kumar belongs to the Vanmazhiyil family of Pandanad village in Kerala's Chengannur taluk falling within the coastal Alappuzha district. He was commissioned in the Air Force in 1979, says the IAF profile on him.
Hari Kumar is a recipient of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Vayu Sena Medal (VM) and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM). He was the Air Officer Commanding-in Chief, Eastern Air Command, prior to becoming the head of the strategic Western Air Command.
The command under Hari Kumar began preparations for the strike after the Central Government gave it a free hand following Pulwama terror attack on February 14. Laser-guided missile attack was chosen after discussions with the Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa.
Interestingly, the Eastern Air Command is also headed by another Keralite Air Marshal Raghunath Nambiar who is originally from Kadachira in Kerala's Kannur district. He is responsible for the security of airspace along the 6300-km Indian border with China, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal and Bangladesh.
Nambiar was commissioned in the IAF in June 1981. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy.
Meanwhile, the Indian Army has secured its borders with Pakistan and China in anticipation of retaliation from both sides. Eastern Air Command based in Shillong, Meghalaya, will lead India's action if China chooses to attack India from its north and east borders.