IAF rescues 72 trapped people in Jammu region

The Indian Air Force has rescued 72 people trapped in heavy snow in the hilly Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, a defence spokesman said Saturday.

The rescue was conducted by a helicopter of the 130 Helicopter Unit - 'The Condors', stationed at Jammu Friday, the spokesman said.

"Braving snow and extreme cold conditions, the IAF MI-17 helicopter in assistance with the local administration airlifted 72 people from remote parts of Kishtwar where they had been trapped for the past two days," he added.

"The operation was carried out under the captainship of Squadron Leader Shailesh Singh and co-pilot, Flight Lt. Ashutosh Khanduri. The aircraft took off at 8 a.m. and continued with the operations in the freezing temperature of minus 6 degree Celsius," he said.

The spokesman said that 130 HU has been commended earlier by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for undertaking rescue and relief operations during natural calamities and saving many lives.