PNS | DEHRADUN
The armed forces deployed six helicopters to expedite the rescue operation and evacuate rescued workers from Mana on Saturday. The general officer commanding in-chief (GOC-in-C), Central Command, Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta visited the avalanche-affected Mana area with other senior officers of Army on Saturday to oversee, review and coordinate the search and rescue operations.
The Army has pressed specialised Recco radars, UAVs, quadcopters and avalanche rescue dogs in the rescue operation which started on Friday morning. The rescue operation is led by the rescue team of the Army’s Ibex Bigade.
The GOC-in-C of Central Command, Lt Gen Sengupta said that the rescue team of army and ITBP had rescued many of the trapped labourers on Friday and on Saturday morning. He said that the two companies of Garhwal Scouts and 7 Assam Rifles are trying to recover the remaining labourers still trapped by the avalanche.
In his visit the Army commander met the soldiers engaged in the rescue operation. He was accompanied by GOC Uttar Bharat area Lt Gen DG Mishra and other officers.
The PRO of Indian Army, Lt Col Manish Srivastava said that six helicopters have been deployed in the rescue operation. The helicopters include three Cheetah helicopters from Indian Army Aviation, two Cheetah helicopters from the Indian Air Force and one civil helicopter hired by the Indian Army. He said that 50 people have been rescued so far. Lt Col Srivastava also confirmed the death of four persons in the mishap.
