IAF rescues 203 people stranded in snow-hit Kashmir

The Indian Air Force (IAF) Wednesday rescued 203 people stranded for two days in snow-hit areas of Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir, a defence spokesman said.

"The 130 helicopter unit - The Condors - of the IAF stationed at Jammu yet again undertook a demanding operation of rescuing stranded people from the inaccessible villages of Kishtwar region," the spokesman said.

"Braving piercing snow waves, and extreme cold conditions, the IAF's MI-17 chopper in assistance with the local administration airlifted 203 stranded people in 10 sorties from remote parts of Kishtwar where they had been trapped for the past two days."

The operation was led by Wing Commander Suresh Tiwari, his co-pilot Wing Commander Anup Sharma and Squadron Leader Shiv.

The chopper took off at 7.30 a.m. and continued with the operations in freezing temperatures of minus 10 degrees Celsius, he said.