A group of Indian Air Force personnel are what the social media is abuzz about today. These men of steel have just concluded a very difficult mission and no, it was not at the border destroying the enemy. They are heroes today for saving lives.
A group of Siachen Pioneers – a helicopter unit of the Indian Air Force in Leh – undertook the evacuation of a three-month pregnant woman suffering from sight loss and dysphagia (blockage of throat causing inability to swallow), from the remote Kurgiak village located in a valley of Shinkun La pass near Padam in Ladakh.
The heroic operation was carried out when the weather in the Kurgiak Valley was deteriorating with very low clouds which were lowering further. The terrain was completely snow-bound and the fading light due to the clouds increased chances of disorientation.
The Air Force released a video of the daring operation with #SavingLives that captured the imagination of the nation.
#SavingLives -16Feb18, ‘SiachenPioneers’ AFSLeh, undertook challenging #CASEVAC of a 3 mnths pregnant, 35 year old, StanzinLaton, suffering from Dysphagia, from village Kurgiak beyond Padam. The crew professionally negotiated adverse weather & saved her life. Details on Facebook. pic.twitter.com/Wj281yAyYP
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) February 17, 2018
With an overcast sky with all passes covered. Within a very short period of time, the crew assessed the weather, discussed the contingencies and fueled up to avoid refueling on way.
The formation got airborne within 30 minutes, with Wing Commander SI Khan and Flight Lieutenant Pravin in the lead aircraft, along with Wing Commander SK Pradhan and Squadron Leader A Bedekar as No 2.
The weather enroute was dangerous and the narrow and turbulent valley, devoid of any force landing fields, made the task more challenging.
However, the crew successfully negotiated the valley and reached Padam. After a quick turnaround, servicing the formation got airborne again for Kurgiak which was another 50 km ahead of Padam.
Since the terrain was snowbound and no clear field was available, the crew chose a site close to the village, which was sloping but manageable. They located the village successfully and picked up the pregnant lady.
Due to high altitude and lack of oxygen, coupled with extremely low temperatures, the woman was having difficulty breathing.
The flight back was even more challenging with the aircraft buffeting in turbulent winds and light fading further.
The crew brought all their professionalism to the forefront to successfully negotiate the adverse weather and recovered back at Leh in time, to save the life of the mother-to-be.