In daring operation, Army Aviators rescue German, Nepal, Indian trekkers

By OneIndia Defence Desk

Published: Friday, May 8, 2015, 22:11 [IST]

Kathmandu, May 8: The pilots of Army Aviation today rescued three German trekkers stuck at Ghap area of Gorkah district which was badly hit by the earthquake on April 25. During the operation, they also managed to rescue eight Nepalese trekkers as well.

Top military sources confirmed to OneIndia from Pokhara Air Base here on Friday night that the SOS call had come from the Indian Embassy in Nepal.

Sources said that the Army Aviation pilots immediately flew to the area with a guide.

"It was at 9000 feet height. The pilots had very limited visibility and had to face high turbulence as well. They flew for an hour and finally spotted the group and landed at an unknown uneven field," an official told OneIndia.

Interestingly, the pilots spotted eight Nepalese trekkers nearby, who were left stranded for the last eight days.
"Though the pilots were restricted to fly with limited load for safety of the aircraft and lives, they took a spot decision to bring all of them back with high risk. They landed safely at Pokhara Air Base where the Germans and Nepalese trekkers," the official added.

Brig Jarken Gamlin, Col Vibhu, Lt Col Amit Kaushik and Maj Akshay Kumar managed the entire operation.
Sources said that the Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv has been flying non-stop in Barpak and Larpak areas.
In another mission, Kerauje, a local guide handed over a slip to the pilot mentioning about four Indian missing in the area.

"Though the mission was hampered due to forested area and marginal weather, the pilots carried out the operation and rescued them," the official added.

In yet another operation, the pilots had to deal with suspension bridges, cable way and low tension wires all across.

"The pilots have been undertaking some extremely difficult operations under very hostile conditions," the official added.

OneIndia News

Published On May 8, 2015