Nirmala Sitharaman oversees IAF's operational exercise along China-India border in Arunachal Pradesh

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited forward bases in Assam and Arunachal to oversee Indian Air Force's massive operational exercise, Gagan Shakti 2018, along the China-India border.

The defence minister landed at the Chabua Air Force Station in Upper Assam and then took a Mi-17 chopper and went to Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh.

At Pasighat Advanced Landing Ground, two Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jets took off and then a C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft landed, from which Garud Commandos simulated taking over of the base. 

Sitharaman was also briefed about the uploading of rockets in a Mi gunship, Air Force sources said.  While the Sukhois dropped three 1,000 pounder bombs, the Mi 17 gunships fired rockets.