Bad weather hampers "air operation" of IAF in snow-hit J-K

Jammu, Jan 19: Relief and rescue operations launched by the IAF in snow-hit areas of Jammu and Kashmir have been badly hit due to bad weather and poor visibility. "Due to bad weather conditions, poor visibility and snowfall, the operation launched by IAF for rescue, relief and airlifting of snow-trapped people in the hilly belts of the state has been hampered," Jammu Defence PRO S N Acharya said here today.

"IAF choppers are ready and on stand-by to fly and carry out air operations. Once weather clears and visibility levels increase, we will start operations to ferry food grains and essential supplies to snow-bound areas and evacuate people," he said.

The IAF is carrying out relief operations to reach out to the snow-trapped people with essential supplies, medicines and evacuations from January 9. Popularly known as CONDORS, 130 Helicopter Unit of IAF has been a life line for the civilians during snowfall, floods, and even counter insurgency operations apart from maintaining the supplies to scores of army posts and units in far-flung and remote mountainous belts of Siachen Glacier- world highest and coldest battle-field.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has requisitioned IAF choppers for carrying out operation to air-drop essential supplies to snow-hit areas of Kishtwar, Doda, Reasi, Ramban and other areas of Kashmir Valley after the heavy snowfall. It also asked the IAF to carry out evacuation sorties to ferry 282 snow-trapped people in Kishtwar, Dachan, Marwah and Warwan snow-bound belts.

PTI