IAF to reopen old air base in Ladakh

Air Officer Commanding in Chief Western Air Command Air Marshal P K Barbora also said that the recent firing by Pakistani troops on a forward post in Poonch sector in the state might have been "due to some misunderstanding".

The Dawaltbaigh Oldi air base was set up in 1962 in the wake of Indo-China war and closed down in 1965.

"I hope to fly with AN-32 to Dawaltbaigh Oldi sometime next month and make it operational. We will do it next month," Barbora told reporters here.

"This will demonstrate to the world that we are capable of manning airfield at such a high altitude," he said. Referring to Monday's unprovoked firing, Barbora said the reason for it was yet to be ascertained. "The reason is yet to be understood. May be it was due to some misunderstanding," he said.

Barbora said both India and Pakistan want to continue with the ceasefire which came into force five years back.

"No one wants to break the ceasefire and peace and tranquillity along the borders. Peace on the line of control is in the best interests of the two countries," he said.