Army-IAF launches 'Opn Hamsafar' to ferry stranded passengers

Jammu, Feb 28 (UNI) The Army and Air Force today launched 'Operation Hamsafar' to airlift the stranded passengers, caught up on the 300-km Jammu-Srinagar national highway since its blockade seven days ago due to landslides triggered by rains, to their destinations in Jammu and Srinagar.

''As many as 748 stranded passengers had been airlifted from Jammu to Srinagar till 1600 hrs,'' Divisional Commissioner (Jammu) Pramod Jain told UNI.

Four AN-32 and A IL-76 Aircrafts have been pressed into service to ferry the passengers between the two capital cities -- Jammu and Srinagar, Defence spokesman Lt Col S D Goswami said.

The Army was also providing established ad hoc transit camps at Udhampur for reception of the passengers besides refreshment and medical facilities.

''Adequate accommodation arrangements have also been made for civilians both at Jammu and Srinagar,'' he said.

Incessant rains and snowfall have triggered landslides at Panthal on the national highway, leaving thousands of passengers stranded on the national highway.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, after his telephonic conversation with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, issued orders for a two-day free air service for the stranded passengers through special Army aircrafts.

UNI