Indian air force holds massive air power exercise

			Indian, air, force, holds, massive, air, power, exercise

Air force fighter aircraft blasted mock enemy targets in the dusty, desert landscape of western India during elaborate display exercises.

Over 100 varieties of combat aircraft, including Mirage 2000s, Jaguars, Sukhois, MiG21s and transport airplanes and helicopters were part of the exercise that showcased the Indian air force's capabilities during day and night operations.

India's President Pratibha Patil, Defense Minister A.K. Antony, military attaches of several countries and senior Indian military officials watched the display that also included aerobatic display teams performing maneuvers in formations and aerial stunts.

The targets, including mock radar sites, tanks, terrorist camps, and convoys, were destroyed in the precision attacks by pilots using bombs, rockets and missiles.

The air power display was held in Pokharan, the site in the Thar desert of Rajasthan where India conducted a series of underground nuclear tests in 1998.

The area is 60miles (100 kilometers) from Pakistan and the air power demonstration came just days after nuclear-armed neighbors Pakistan and India resumed talks after a 15-month hiatus.

Peace talks between the two South Asian rivals had halted after the 2008 attacks in Indian financial capital of Mumbai, which killed 166 people and were blamed on Pakistan-based Islamic militants.

Associated Press