Kashmir gets new helicopter base

It will house multi-role advanced DHRUV

SRINAGAR: Amid growing demands of demilitarisation and cut down in troops, the army has set up a new aviation base for its multi-role helicopter unit at Manasbal to assist and aid security forces deployed in the high-security zones of Kashmir.

The state-of-the-art aviation base will house the multi-role advanced light helicopter DHRUV manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bangalore.

“The multifaceted helicopters will come with newer capabilities which will be of use to the security forces and in disaster relief, search and rescue operations and casualty evacuation,” said a defence spokesman in Srinagar.

The base was inaugurated amidst army chief General Deepak Kapoor’s comments that normalcy had not returned to the valley and the People’s Democratic Party’s demands for early demilitarisation or reduction in troops in the state.

The aviation base was inaugurated by lieutenant general AS Sekhon, general officer commanding (GoC) 15 corps on Monday.

“The GoC complimented the team that worked on setting up the aviation base at Manasbal. He also exhorted all ranks to give their best to ensure optimum exploitation of the new capability,” the defence spokesman added.

On the occasion, a unit of DHRUV helicopters presented a scintillating display which included formation flying, high gravity maneuvers, slithering operations, under slung cargo carriage and high speed, small team insertion operations.

The entire display was led and coordinated by Col Rakesh Kapoor.