India continues scaled down relief ops in Nepal

Indian forces are gradually scaling down their rescue and relief operations in quake-hit Nepal as the situation limps back to normal after the April 25 temblor, an official here said on Monday.

The Indian Army has de-inducted two of its ALHs, while three Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs) continue their operations.

The three ALHs conducted 12 sorties on Sunday, and transported 44 people apart from assisting in induction of Nepal Army troops in affected areas.

On Saturday, a Mi17 V5 helicopter of the IAF took next of kin of 10 Nepalese Army personnel who were killed in the quake to the Langtang helipad, the post where they had died.

Langtang helipad, a post of the Nepalese Army, was manned by 10 Army personnel who were untraceable after the quake. Their bodies were retrieved on May 6, but were beyond identification due to injuries and decomposition.

Fourteen relatives and two escorts were taken to Dhunche. From there, seven of them were flown to the post to pay homage.

An official statement said field hospitals and the medical teams of the Indian Army have, meanwhile, been de-inducted completely with the last elements having de-inducted on Sunday after having provided essential care to 4,690 people, including over 300 surgeries and 216 admissions, during their deployment in Nepal.

The IAF, since the first quake hit on April 25, has conducted around 1,400 sorties, evacuating around 4,305 people, and carrying 1,203 tonnes of relief material.