Helicopter service launched for far flung Gurez in Kashmir

Residents of Kashmir's far flung Gurez valley, located along the Line of Control (LoC), now have a quick transportation facility to reach the capital Srinagar, with a helicopter service being launched today.
The service between the border town and Srinagar was launched by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
"This would not only ensure quick connectivity to the residents of this border town to Srinagar but also provide them an easy and round-the-year access to rest of the state and the country," an official spokesman said in a statement.
He said the service will be a great relief for the sick, the infirm, the students and the employees who often get stuck due to road blockade during inclement weather in winter months.

Mehbooba distributed the tickets among the first batch of passengers and wished them well before takeoff of the sortie, the spokesman said.
Deputy Speaker of Legislative Assembly and local MLA Nazir Gurezi, former MLA, Faqir Mohammad Khan and senior officials of the Divisional administration and police were present on the occasion.