Stranded passengers airlfted from Leh to Jammu

Jammu, January 01 (Scoop News) –After waiting for last five days due to inclement weather and poor visibility,  the giant transport aircraft, IL-76, of Indian Air Force   launched special air sortie for Kargil and Leh bound stranded civilian passengers in Jammu and Kashmir, today. Total 203 stranded civilians including 84 ladies and children were air lifted to Jammu from Leh today by IL-76 aircraft of Indian Air Force.  Special Indian Air Force (IAF) sorties were arranged by the Jammu and Kashmir government  from Jammu to Leh town of Ladakh region.

          The state government had earlier announced that special IAF sorties would be arranged for stranded passengers of Leh region which remains cut off due to heavy snowfall on the Zojilla Pass  and Kargil-Padum road that connects the cold desert Ladakh region of the state with the Valley.

          “However, due to inclement weather condition the sorties from Air Force Station Jammu to Leh were suspended” said Group Captain Sridhar, Officiating AOC of Air Force Station Jammu who personally supervised the entire air lift operations from Jammu air field. He also said that IAF is ready and will carry out the task immediately with coordination with civil admin of J&K as soon as weather clears.  

          While asking about the problems to Mrs. Kaliz Fatima who was with her eight year old daughter of Kargil said that now we had a sigh of relief. She also said that “ I on behalf of all people of Leh region thanked Indian Air Force who becomes life line for every Leh citizen during winter”.

          Zahir Abbas a 23 old researcher of Jammu University said that his study was suffering due to not attending classes.

          During airlift operation, Chief Administrative Officer Group Captain Shashikant Pati and air warriors of AF Station Jammu worked tirelessly with full support from civil administration of J&K for smooth movement of the civilian people without any hassle.

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