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Indian Air Force rescues injured American trekker in Leh

Margaret Allen Stone had set out for trekking in the Ladakh region and had been held up in Zhingchan area, 75 kilometres from Leh since September 6 due to injury.

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Indo-US friendship again stood the test of time when Indian Air Force (IAF) responded quickly to the SOS and pressed two helicopters into service to rescue an injured American woman trekker from the remote Zhingchan area of cold desert of Leh.

Margaret Allen Stone had set out for trekking in the Ladakh region and had been held up in Zhingchan area, 75 kilometres from Leh since September 6 due to injury. IAF was requested by the US Embassy through Ministry of Defence to help in locating and rescue of Margaret Allen Stone.

"Her condition had deteriorated during this prolonged period of lack of care. She was in a critical condition. The US Government informed IAF of the situation in the afternoon hours on September 26," said Wing Commander Anupam Banerjee, Public Relations Officer of the IAF.

IAF responded to the situation with requisite alacrity. "Exact location of Stone was ascertained with the help of civil administration and by evening two IAF helicopters were able to locate Stone in the valley. Stone was brought to the safety of Leh hospital for medical care by sunset on September 26," said Banerjee.

This is second time in the last one week when armed forces have risen to the occasion and helped the foreign tourists in distress in the cold desert of Ladakh.

On September 24, Army rescuers retrieved the body of 70-year-old Italian national Carlo Masoero who had gone missing from Nimaling camp on September 17.

Carlo was one of five Italian nationals camping in Nimaling camp. After searching for five days, the Army was approached for help to locate the foreigner. Army rescuers were immediately pressed into service and after two days of intense search the body of Italian national was recovered. The body was later handed over to the police.

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