As Rafale jets fly in, villages around Ambala air base put on alert, restrictions imposed

As the first five of
a batch of Rafale fighter jets are set to land the Ambala airbase on Wednesday,
the security has been beefed-up in the area. As per ANI reports, Section 144 has been imposed in 4
villages closer to the airbase, and the administration has been put on high
alert.  

“In view of Rafale’s landing tomorrow, the administration is
on a high alert. Section 144 has been imposed in 4 villages closer to Ambala
airbase,” Munish Sehgal, DSP Traffic, Ambala said. “Gathering of people on
roofs and photography during landing has been strictly prohibited,” he added.

Speaking on the same, Ambala Cantt
DSP Ram Kumar said, “The Ambala Cantt area is a ‘no-drone area,’ as it is a
sensitive zone. Also, no photography allowed in the area. If anyone violates
these orders, action will be taken against them.”

The Rafale fighter jets have been
purchased by New Delhi in a controversial multibillion-dollar deal.

The jets built by Dassault
Aviation –and piloted by officers from the Indian Air Force (IAF) – took off
from Merignac in southwest France, the company said in a statement. By
Wednesday, they should be at Ambala air base in northern India, some 200
kilometres (120 miles) from the Pakistani and Chinese borders.