CRPF Contemplating Construction Of Additional Helipads

CRPF contemplating construction of additional helipads in Naxal-affected areas will be equipped with a night landing facility.

Air evacuation of injured jawans from Naxal-affected areas still remains a challenge for the CRPF. To deal with this, the CRPF is considering building more helipads with night landing facilities.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has deployed around 40 percent of its total strength (about 1.20 lakh) in various states as part of the campaign against Naxalites.

Preparing to set up advanced operational bases.

Special jungle warfare units like the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (COBRA) have been camping in some of the most violently affected areas of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Bihar for a decisive battle.

According to senior officials and available documents, the CRPF is setting up at least 30 new forward operations bases (FOBs) in the dense forests of Chhattisgarh (South Bastar).

While half a dozen such locations are being searched in Jharkhand and Bihar.

CRPF contemplating construction of additional helipads: The number of Naxal affected districts decreased.

The government has said that the number of Naxal violence-affected districts in the country has come down from 126 to 70 in the last few years and efforts are on to bring it down further.

A senior officer posted in anti-Naxal operations said, “Air evacuation of jawans injured during encounters or IED blasts in remote areas is of paramount importance to save their lives.”

Considering increasing the number of helipads.

The commanding officer of a battalion working with the COBRA unit in Chhattisgarh.

He says that sometimes the helicopter pilots do not give advice on landing or take off due to weather or other technical reasons, then the situation becomes dire.

Weather and availability of light are two of the most important factors, due to which the arrival of helicopters is either delayed or flights have been canceled.

This caused great resentment among the soldiers. Therefore, the CRPF, as a major combat arm, is looking at ways to build more helipads and to secure and illuminate them.

So as to increase the lending rate of helicopters in the hinterlands of these states. Sector offices of CRPF in three states have been entrusted with this task.