BSF troopers in Kashmirrescued by Army, IAF

The army and the air force carried out a joint mission to rescue a group of Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, deployed on the international border in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district, after they were trapped by floods, a defence official said on Saturday.

"Heavy rains triggered flash floods in the Basantar River in Ramgarh sub sector of Samba district inundating large tracts of land including a BSF border out post on Friday. The water level rose 10 feet and flooded the post, forcing the BSF men to take shelter on the roof tops," defence spokesman, Col. Manish Mehta said here.

"In a swift reaction to the situation and on an urgent message from the BSF authorities, the Indian Army pressed into service two of its ALH Dhruv helicopters and ground columns along with a Mi-17 helicopter of the Indian Air Force, based at Jammu, for the rescue mission.

"The BSF personnel, along with heavy stores, were air lifted in a combined operation of Army Aviation and Indian Air Force and evacuated to safer places," he said, adding an infantry company was also kept standby for any further assistance.

"The rescue mission was carried out despite the severe adverse weather conditions threatening to hamper the entire operation. The operation was reflective of an excellent synergy between the Indian Army and Indian Air Force," said Col.Mehta.

Indian Air Force also carried out sorties to rescue 28 BSF personnel from inundated areas near the international border in Jammu district.