Armed forces not trained to combat Maoists: air chief

GANDHINAGAR - Indian Air Force chief Air Marshal P.V. Naik Wednesday said he did not favour using armed forces in operations against Maoist insurgents.

All the armed forces - air force, army and the navy - are trained for lethal operations. We are not trained for limited lethality. Use of the air force in such situations like Naxals… I am not in favour. But it is a state prerogative, Naik said during the inauguration of Commenders Conference here.

At present we must leave it to paramilitary forces as they have trained manpower and intelligence, he added, a day after the massacre of 76 Central Reserve Police Force personnel in Chhattisgarh Tuesday.