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| | IAF pilots rescue two injured Czech trekkers from Padam valley | | | NEW DELHI, Aug 6(Agencies): One of the two injured Czech trekkers, both brothers, who were rescued by the Indian Air Force from the higher reaches of the Padam valley in Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, on August 5, 2012.
Two injured Czech trekkers, both brothers, were rescued by pilots of the Leh-based Helicopter Unit of the Indian Air Force (IAF) from the higher reaches of Padam Valley in Zanskar ranges of Ladakh region yesterday.
The two men, Lucas and Tomas Pfeifer, members of a Czech trekking team, had suffered injuries after a fall while crossing a river near Testha village in the Zanskar valley.
An official press release said Lucas was critically injured, with a knee fracture and a ligament tear which rendered him completely immobile. His brother Tomas was injured while trying to support him during the fall.
The injuries, inclement weather, high altitude and the remote location forced the team to request for emergency air rescue through their embassy and the Jammu and Kashmir government.
The Helicopter Unit, nicknamed Siachen Pioneers received a message at 0130 hours yesterday for the evacuation. Immediately, the Commanding Officer called in a briefing for the aircrew and supervised their planning for safe conduct of the mission that stretched into the wee hours of the morning. After which the entire team took the much needed rest for a few hours, until daybreak.
A two-helicopter rescue team got airborne at 0600 hours yesterday. The rescue team comprised Sqn Ldr S Agarwal, Flt Lt Maneesh Singh and Flt Lt C Shekhawat, led by Wg Cdr D C Tiwari.
"Operating their machines to fringes of it operational limits, in marginal weather that had kept flying on hold on the previous day, flying in one of the most treacherous valleys of Ladakh region was a tough ask for the aircrew involved. Accurate navigation to the remote location and correct assessment of the prevailing situation ensured that the helicopters reached the site at the earliest, this was vital for saving the life of the critically injured expedition members
"After assessing the landing site that was unprepared and had a slope gradient that was just within the limits of the helicopter, Wg Cdr DC Tiwari manoeuvred his helicopter to land in the restricted area with only a marginal reserve of power. Without wasting any time the casualty was taken onboard while the second helicopter maintained a close vigil from the top. The same precautions were observed by the second aircraft piloted by Sqn Ldr S Agarwal, who picked up the second member," the release added. |
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