To the layman, that might seem like a sweeping statement, but senior defence sources said the three Jaguar fighter aircraft involved in the `surprise mock attack' on several points in and around the city including air-strips, oil giants, ammunition dumps and other vital defence installations were among the most advanced the IAF possessed.

Though mock-attacks are not unknown in Vadodara, the ones carried out on June 25 stand apart because of the ``strict confidentiality'' shrouding them. ``Only the SWAC top brass were aware of the attack'', said defence sources, adding that the Jaguars, in contrast to the MiG 21, 23, 27 and 29 usually used for these sessions, flew at 1000 km/hour and could carry deadly ammunition.

Though the ground staff were unaware of the mission, Air Base personnel manning the 20-odd cathode ray tube-radar round the clock over a 300 nautical mile area around Vadodara spotted the aircraft movements. They informed the chiefs of the two guided weapons squadrons, and replied to the `attack' by `locking' the aircraft at various sites, and `hitting' them in the mock-reciprocal counter-attack', all in a matter of seconds.

``The practice mission was a complete success'', sources said, adding that similar exercises involving other advanced aircraft including the Mirage 2000 and the Su-30 -- were also on the cards.

Personnel of one of the most important SWAC wings, Communication Flight, who have been stationed in Vadodara for the past two months, are also scheduled to begin their practices within a fortnight, sources said, adding that this would include flying low, in different formations and in bad weather. ``This is to make our pilots conversant with the various odds in various situations'', said a senior officer.