1,459 more stranded passengers airlifted from Jammu, Srinagar

Jammu, Mar 1 (UNI) Indian Air Force planes continued to shuttle between Jammu and Srinagar today, airlifting 1,459 more stranded passengers to their destinations as the 300-km-long national highway between the two cities remained closed on the ninth consecutive day.

An IAF fleet of four AN-32 and IL-76 aircraft carried 780 passengers from Jammu to Srinagar and 679 passengers from Srinagar to Jammu in 10 sorties since this morning, Defence spokesman Lt Col S D Goswami told UNI.

Army and IAF launched 'Operation Hamsafar' yesterday to help stranded people reach their destinations, after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ordered free airlift.

A total of 3,138 stranded passengers, including 1,459 today, were shifted in 23 sorties since yesterday, the spokesman added.

UNI