IAF rescues 203 snow-trapped people in mountainous Kishtwar

In an operation carried out in a remote part of mountainous Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday rescued 203 civilians, including children and patients, trapped in snow.

A defence spokesman said, "Joint efforts by the government of Jammu and Kashmir and 130 Helicopter Unit of air force station at Jammu rescued all the 203 civilians trapped in snow." The people were trapped after the area, which is about 300 km from Jammu, witnessed heavy snowfall.

After receiving a request from the district administration of Kishtwar to rescue the stranded people, The the air force unit at Jammu launched the rescue mission early on Wednesday soon "after getting the clearance from the metrological department".

"After full day sorties all the civilians, children and patients were shifted to safer places," the spokesman added. These remote regions do not have even road connectivity.