Fighter jets to fly-pasts, choppers to shower petals to thank 'corona warriors'

New Delhi, May 1 (PTI) Indian armed forces will conduct fly-pasts, light up ships at sea, display military bands and shower flower petals on hospitals on Sunday in a grand display of gratitude to lakhs of "corona warriors" like doctors, paramedics and police personnel.

anuncement was made by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat at a press conference in presence of Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh, Army Chief Gen M M Naravane and Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria.

" nation stood toger and showed resilience in dealing with coronavirus pandemic. On behalf of armed forces, we want to thank all corona warriors -- doctors, nurses, sanitation workers, police, home guards, delivery boys and media," Gen Rawat said.

"On May 3, re will be some special activities as a gesture of special gratitude by all three forces," he said, addressing his first press conference after assuming charge of India's first Chief of Defence Staff in January.

Gen Rawat's anuncement of special activities came shortly before Union Home Ministry said current spell of lockdown will be extended by ar two weeks from Monday. lockdown came into force on March 25 and was scheduled to end on May 3.

He said fixed wing and fighter aircraft of Indian Air Force will conduct fly-pasts from Srinagar to Thiruvananthapuram and from Dibrugarh to Kutch on Sunday evening as a mark of respect to all front-line workers battling pandemic.

Gen Rawat said Indian Navy helicopters will shower flower petals on leading hospitals treating coronavirus patients. Navy will also deploy its warships in formations in coastal areas and vessels will be lit up as part of "thanksgiving" exercise on Sunday evening.

Army will conduct mountain band displays along some COVID-19 hospitals in almost every district besides laying wreaths at police memorials across country.

" corona warriors -- be it doctors, nurses, hygiene and sanitation staff, police personnel or media personnel -- y have ensured that India keeps on fighting this pandemic. We salute se warriors and ir efforts and wish m best of health," Gen Rawat said.

"We are grateful for ir sacrifice and ir efforts in fighting COVID-19, kwing fully well dangers that y face," he added.

Replying to a query, Gen Rawat added that t even one soldier, sailor or airman in frontline is affected by infection and that armed forces are fully prepared for all challenges.

He also said that re was let-up in anti-terror operations against cross border terrorism.

Air Chief Marshal said that t even one case of COVID-19 has been reported in force.

While talking of contribution of police personnel, Chief of Defence Staff said wreaths will be laid at police memorial on Sunday morning on behalf of three service chiefs.

Army Chief Gen Naravane too said re was let-up in India's counter-terror operations due to pandemic. "Our operations are going on. re is let-up in counter-terrorist operations due to COVID19."

He also said that re has been an increase in number of infiltration attempts from Pakistani side along LoC.

Army has recorded 14 cases of coronavirus out of which five have recovered, he said.

decision to go for thanks-giving activities was taken at a meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and attended by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and three service chiefs.

In press conference, Gen Rawat also asserted that operational task has been affected or will be affected due to COVID-19 pandemic.

He said it is t proper to conclude that vel coronavirus outbreak is a result of biological warfare. PTI MPB ZMN