Taking photos and videos of Rafale jets arriving in Ambala prohibited

Ambala : The first batch of Rafale Jets will reach Ambala on Wednesday from France to increase the strength of Indian Air Force. Ahead of their arrival, Ambala Police has tightened the security and has issued an advisory for people to not click photographs and record videos of the plane.

The violators will face an immediate arrest and an FIR will be filed against them, the police said. Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code which prohibits congregation of four or more people in an area has also been imposed near the Ambala Air Force Station in Haryana and in adjoining areas like Dhulkot, Baldev Nagar, Garnala and Panjkhora.

The jets took off from France on Monday and will arrive at the Ambala Air Force station after covering a distance of 7,000 kilometres with air-to-air refuelling and a single stop in the United Arab Emirates.

The fleet comprises three single-seater and two twin-seater aircraft, an IAF official said.

The Rafale jets are scheduled to leave from UAE at around 11 am IST and reach Ambala by 2 pm, news agency ANI reported citing sources.

A team of pilots led by Group Captain Harkirat Singh would meet the Air Chief and brief him about their flying and training in France after which the formal induction ceremony of the aircraft would take place.

India had signed a deal with France to acquire 36 Rafale jets for Rs 60,000 crores in 2016.