Jammu: The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Friday
resumed its rescue operations to airlift as many as 190 people
trapped in snow-hit Kishtwar district of the state.
Braving piercing snow waves and extreme cold conditions,
IAF`s MI-17 choppers were back to business after operations
remained suspended yesterday due to Republic Day.
"A fresh air rescue operation was launched by the
Jammu-based IAF`s 130 Helicopter Unit in Kishtwar district
since early this morning despite poor visibility, blowing snow
waves and minus 9 degrees Celsius (temperature)," defence
spokesman, Jammu, S N Acharya said.
He added that till now, over 40 passengers have been
airlifted and all of them are likely to be evacuated today.
The operations were launched on a request by the state
government to ferry people stranded in highly snow-hit areas
of Sonder, Dachin, Marwah and Nawapachin in the district since
January 7.
The IAF had earlier rescued 2,188 passengers including
1,613 civilians between the two capital cities of Jammu and
Srinagar on January 21.
Popularly known as CONDORS, the 130 Helicopter Unit had
first launched a major air operation on January 9 to reach out
to snow-trapped people with essential supplies and medicines.
The choppers carried out several sorties in Reasi,
Gulabgarh, Ramban and other areas to ferry essential material
as well as the snow-trapped people.
The unit emerged as a lifeline for disaster-prone areas
of the Valley after the pivotal role played by it in rescuing
as many as 588 people during the "Operation Rahat" launched
after the devastating 2005 earthquake.
PTI
