Indian Air Force airlifts pregnant woman, another patient in Kashmir

IAF airlifted two patients including a pregnant woman from remote areas of Kashmir, which have been cut off due to recent snowfall, to nearest government hospital.

"As part of the humanitarian effort by the Indian Armed Forces, Indian Air Force (IAF) air lifted four civil persons including a six months pregnant woman facing serious complications from Dawar village of Gurez sector to Bandipora (district headquarter) using Mi-17 helicopter," an army official said.

He said residents of Dawar yesterday requested army for assistance to airlift Khursheeda Begum, wife of Mohammed Ashraf, as she had developed serious complications.

"The request was speedily processed by the Dawar Brigade with the Air Force. The request materialised in time and the helicopter was rushed in. "Four persons including the lady were airlifted to Bandipora, enabling life saving treatment," the official said.

In an another operation, Afaq Khan, suffering from Typhoid, was airlifted from Furkian area of Kupwara to the district headquarters.

Many areas of Kashmir, close to Line of Control, get cut off from rest of the Valley during winter due to heavy snowfall.