The Third Dimension: Air Power in Combating the Maoist Insurgency

By A K Agarwal

The Maoist Insurgency has been born out of long periods of social discontent, economic hardships and state apathy towards the neglected masses. Anti-Maoist operations have to be based on a strong political will, aggressive anti-guerrilla tactics and economic and social development of affected areas to win back the confidence of the people. A common perception is that in these operations, the role of air power is normally overlooked. History differs and tells us that air power has been used extensively to quell past insurgencies. This book explores the nature of insurgencies and air power lessons from past insurgencies. After analysing the Maoist insurgency, the employment of air assets in supporting the security forces is examined.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vij Books India Private Limited
• Release date: Jul 24, 2013
• ISBN: 9789382573722

A K Agarwal

Group Captain AK Agarwal is an alumni of the National Defence Academy and was commissioned into the flying branch of the Air Force on 04 June 1982. He is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College and College of Defence Management and holds Masters Degrees in Defence and Strategic Studies and in Management Sciences. His area of interest is air power and counterinsurgency operations. The author has written numerous articles and co-authored a book on the subject. At present he is a Senior Research Fellow at the USI of India.