NEW DELHI – The Indian Air Force Chief has not ruled out possibility ofstrike across Line of Control.

IAF is “very much alive” to emerging threats that could arise in the IndoPacific region, Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa said Sunday, and asserted thathis force was prepared to deal with any challenge to protect India’snational interests.

He also said there is cause for concern over the rate of modernisation andinduction of new equipment in India’s neighbourhood, even as India faceschallenges emanating from “unresolved territorial disputes” and “sponsored”non-state and transnational actors. But the IAF is capable of, and ismoving ahead, for countering them effectively, he told PTI in an interview.

Asked whether the IAF can play a role in smashing terrorist training campsacross the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, he did not rule out such apossibility.

“The IAF is well equipped to take on threats which occur from across theborder, be it in the realm of sub conventional or other domains,” the AirChief Marshal said.

Referring to India’s immediate security challenges, without naming Chinaand Pakistan, he said, “The current challenges emanate from unresolvedterritorial issues, sponsored non-state actors and transnational actors whoact against national interests through the global commons.” “The IAF isprepared 24×7 for any threat and is ready for a befitting response to anycontingency with all our available assets,” he told PTI.