Srinagar: Indian Army Aviation pilots conducted a challenging high-altitude casualty evacuation at 18,600 feet near the Nun Kun massif, rescuing a person stranded on a steep mountain slope amid fierce winds and hazardous terrain, IANS reported.
The operation was carried out as daylight was fast receding, leaving the crew with only a brief window to complete the evacuation safely.
Helicopter Lightened
The extreme high altitude created additional operational difficulties, with thin air affecting both engine performance and rotor lift. To improve the helicopter’s lifting capability, the crew removed all equipment that was not essential to the rescue mission before taking off.
The aircraft was also loaded with only a strictly limited quantity of fuel. This enabled the pilots to reduce the helicopter’s weight and maximise lift while retaining sufficient range to reach the site, evacuate the casualty and return safely from the remote mountain region.
In a post on X late on Saturday, the official account of the Fire and Fury Corps of the Indian Army said, “In a daring rescue mission at 18,600 ft near Nun Kun, Indian Army Aviation pilots evacuated a casualty from an extremely challenging slope with no landing space and strong winds. With the helicopter lightened by removing non-essential equipment and carrying limited fuel, the aviators executed the evacuation with exceptional precision, courage and determination, including a critical landing with one skid touching the slope.” “The mission, undertaken at the last available landing window of the day, stands as a testament to the skill, courage and compassion of Indian Army Aviation,” it added.
One-Skid Landing
When the helicopter reached the casualty, strong winds and the steep slope left the pilots with no space to land. They kept the aircraft hovering close to the ground while carefully maintaining its balance in the difficult conditions.
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With one skid placed against the mountain slope, the helicopter was stabilised sufficiently for the crew to approach the stranded person. The casualty was secured and brought aboard quickly, after which the pilots lifted away from the precarious location and descended towards safer ground.
The successful mission demonstrated the operational readiness, flying skills and technical expertise of Army Aviation personnel. It also reflected their continued commitment to carrying out life-saving operations in some of the most remote, dangerous and demanding high-altitude environments.