136 airlifted as IAF commences rescue ops in snow-hit Kishtwar

 Braving cold waves and extremely chilly conditions, Indian Air Force today resumed its rescue operation, suspended for past three days, and airlifted 136 people trapped in snow-hit Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir.

"A fresh air rescue operation was launched by the Jammu-based IAF's 130 Helicopter Unit in Kishtwar district since early this morning despite blowing snow waves and extreme cold conditions," Jammu Defence PRO S N Acharya said.

The IAF rescue operation was suspended for the last three days due to bad weather conditions.

The air operation was launched under Wing Commander Anurag Kumar after the requisition by the state government to ferry 300 stranded people in highly snow-hit areas of Sonder, Dachin, Marwah and Nawapachin in district.

Acharya, who himself flew with the IAF team of MI-17 choppers, said that so far 136 snow-trapped people have been evacuated in several sorties since this morning.
The operation was supervised by Air Officer Commanding, Jammu IAF Station, Air Commodore Nitin Sathe and Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Pawan Kotwal.

The IAF has ferried over 2,188 people, including 1,613 civilians, between the state's twin capital cities till Januray 21.

1,613 civilians were ferried between the twin capital cities in 6 sorties of IL-76 and 5 sorties of AN-32 planes of IAF. Similarly, 575 army personnel were transported in 2 sorties of IL-76 and one sortie of AN-32.

The IAF's CONDORS helicopter unit at Jammu had launched a major air operation on January 9 for rescue and relief in snow-hit areas of the state.