Army, IAF rescue over 96,000 people in flood-ravaged J&K

Over 96,000 people have so far been evacuated to safety from flood-ravaged parts of Jammu and Kashmir by the Armed forces as the rescue and relief operation enters its 10th day today.

"Over 96,000 persons have been rescued so far by the Armed forces and NDRF from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir in the ongoing rescue and relief operations in the state till today," Col S D Goswami, PRO, Army's Northern Command told PTI.

He said that 'Mission Sahayata' in Kashmir and 'Mission Rahat' in Jammu region have entered their 10th day as 84 transport aircrafts and helicopters of Air Force and Army Aviation Corps and 35,000 troops have been pressed into service.

Of the 30,000 troops involved in massive rescue and relief operation, 21,000 are tasked in Kashmir valley and 9,000 in Jammu region, he added.

So far, 930 sorties have been undertaken by the choppers and aircraft of the services out of which 97 were carried out today. 1,237 tonnes of relief materials were dropped by the Air Force.

As many as 224 boats of Army and 148 boats of NDRF have been pressed into service, he said.