The Indian Air Force has kick-started a mega exercise covering the Northeastern region to check its combat readiness amid a fresh spike in tension with China along the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh.
The IAF's frontline fighter jets including the Rafale and Su-30MKI aircraft, and other assets deployed in the region are engaged in the exercise named 'Poorvi Aakash'.
"Eastern Air Command has commenced its annual Command level exercise Ex- POORVI AKASH today. Conducted after a gap of two years owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ex will involve activation of the Command's assets for routine practice of aerial drills, including joint exercises," the IAF's Eastern Air Command tweeted.
The Shillong-headquartered Eastern Air Command is carrying out the exercise.
There has been a fresh spike in tension between India and China after troops from the two sides engaged in the clash along the LAC at Yangtse in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh on December 9.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in Parliament on December 13 that the Chinese troops tried to "unilaterally" change the status quo in the Yangtse area but the Indian Army compelled them to retreat by its firm and resolute response.
The incident took place amid the over 31-month border standoff between the two sides in eastern Ladakh.
All frontline air bases and some key Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) in the Northeast are being involved in the exercise.
The Army and IAF have been maintaining a high state of operational readiness along the Line of Actual Control with China in the Arunachal Pradesh and the Sikkim sector for over two years following the eastern Ladakh row.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Exclusive: 1st Videos Of IAF Night-Time Laser-Guided Bomb Attacks On Tiger Hill During Kargil War "I Locked Onto A Pakistani F-16 For 30 Seconds": Kargil Hero's Account IAF Agniveervayu Recruitment 2024: Registration Begins, Check Eligibility, Paper Pattern After Retest, Haryana NEET Centre With Most Top Scorers Gave This Result... The 'Fake' CrowdStrike Worker Who Took Credit For Biggest-Ever IT Outage What Recovery Of Austrian Gun 'Steyr AUG' From J&K Terrorists Means IGNOU Hiring Vice Chancellor, Salary Rs 2.10 Lakh, Check Details Free Electricity, Treatment: Arvind Kejriwal's 5 Guarantees For Haryana Triptii And Vicky Only Give Good News In Matching Versace Printed Looks Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.