(REOPENS DEL38)

Singh had said the conduct of the IAF men in abandoning the helicopter, their weapons and the injured wireless operator appeared to be a clear violation of Standard Operating Procedure. This act by the members of an Armed Force of the Union is "extremely disturbing" and "reflects on their battle hardiness", Singh had said in his letter to Sharma. Defence Minister A K Antony had yesterday downplayed the whole issue as an "internal family matter" and asked to avoid making a mountain out of a mole. Meanwhile, commenting on the comparisons between the air superiority scenario in the region, he said the IAF would be far ahead after the completion of its modernisation in next two Defence plans.