IAF launches fresh rescue operation in snow bound area

Nawapachhi,Kishtwar/Jammu, January 25 (Scoop News) –   130 Helicopter Unit under the leadership of Wg Cdr Anurag Kumar of Air Force Station Jammu lunched a fresh rescue and relief operation in remotest part of Kishtwar region in J&K today morning. The synergized  rescue operation  between Civil Administration and Air Force was supervised by Air Commodore Nitin Sathe, AOC Air Force Station Jammu and Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Divisional Commissioner Jammu.

          Though J&K Govt had already requested for airlift of stranded civilians in these region, the Jammu based Helicopter unit was on stand by for last few days due to blowing snow and poor visibility over the Natha Top and Patni Top region. “As soon as we got clearance,  we immediately took off from Jammu air field early morning today to rescue these snow trapped civilians of Jammu & Kashmir” said Captain of the mission Wg Cdr Anurag Kumar.

          Tehsildar, Kistwar, Inderjeet Singh told that approx 300 passenger are stranded in between Kistwar, Marwah, Nawapachi and Soundar region after snow fall started on 07 Jan 12. Nb Tehsilder Kishtwar Mr. Bhat told that civilians from remotest part of this region came for official job or medical treatment were stranded due to heavy snowfall. He also told that these all regions are connected by foot only. There is no vehicle communications. There are villages which takes 2-3 days by walking to reach those villages.  So far, 108 civilians excluding children  have been air lifted.  He also told that the communications for these places are on foot only.

          Braving cold waves and extremely chilly condition, in a dare devil rescue mission, Wg Cdr Anurag Kumar along with his crew members Flt Lt Ashim Momin, JWO Nautiyal and Sgt MK Sharma rescued these snow trapped civilians to bring a sigh of relief and smile on their face. The visibility was very low and it was snowing in Nawapachi during first landing.  The temp was also chilling with minus 5-6 degree centigrade.

          After rescuing 108 civilians  and 13 children  the operation was suspended due to severe blowing snow in Nawapachi, Inchan area in Kishtwar. The pilots were waiting for weather clearance.

          Mohd Abbas of Marwah and Hasina Banu of Nawapachi who also been airlifted by IAF along with their children and family said  “ We were stranded here for two weeks. 

We had to go to Kishtwar for treatment, but everything was closed.  Every Year we faced these problem but Air Force Helicopter is always reach us as an angel to rescue us.”  The other stranded civilians also thanked the civil Administration for their safe transit.

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