IAF launches rescue operation in Jammu and Kashmir

The Indian Air Force (IAF) Sunday started a massive aerial relief and rescue operation in flood affected regions of Jammu and Kashmir.

"A total of 850 personnel have been airlifted so far in the flood affected regions of the state," a defence ministry statement said here.

"One C-17 Globemaster aircraft has been launched from Delhi to Awantipur with RAMT (Rapid Action Medical Team), two IL-76 aircraft with medical supplies and boats have taken off from Palam Air Force Base for Srinagar," it said.

"One IL-76 with teams of NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) personnel has also taken off from Palam. Three C-130J Super Hercules special operations aircrafts have been pressed into service to transport boats from Pune and Gandhinagar to Srinagar and blankets and tents from Kanpur to Jammu and Srinagar," it said.

Many IAF transport aircraft have been pressed into operations. A total of 26 IAF helicopters are operating in the floot-hit regions of the state.

Over 100 people have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir due to floods.