KARGIL (The Stellar News),Yogeshwar: Chairman and Chief Executive Councilor, LAHDC, Kargil Feroz Ahmad Khan has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Indian Air Force (IAF) , the Administration of UT Ladakh and the Divisional Commissioner Ladakh for their continued support and smooth air lifting of residents of Kargil from Jammu Srinagar. He has also thanked the IAF for operation of the Chinook helicopters for the first time for civilian use in the Zanskar Valley. Feroz Khan has stated that 650 number of people have been airlifted from Srinagar to Kargil, while 887 number of people have been airlifted from Jammu to Kargil by the IAF this winter, adding 672 number of people from Kargil to Jammu and 423 number of people from Kargil to Srinagar were also airlifted.
Majority of the airlifted citizens were students and people travelling for redressal of health issues. In addition to the 28 sorties of AN-32 service from Jammu and Srinagar to Kargil, in order to smoothen the airlifting process, 4 back to back air shuttles of the C-17 and C-130J were also pressed into service from Jammu to Leh and Srinagar to Leh respectively, the CEC said. Khan further said that 88 citizens were airlifted between Padum and Leh via the Chinook helicopters while a total of 702 passengers have been airlifted via the MI-17 Helicopters between Padum and Leh till date. Many passengers have also been airlifted to Chandigarh by the AN-32 Air Service. He said that over 3500 number of civilians have been airlifted by the IAF this winter which is a commendable feat, keeping in view the arduous weather conditions.
CEC Feroz Khan expresses gratitude to IAF for continued air services, thanks UT Admin all out support
Feroz Khan commended the role of the Department of Civil Aviation UT Ladakh as well as the State Coordinator AN-32 Courier Service Amir Ali for his proactive role in smooth conduct of the flights. He further appreciated the Divisional Commissioner Ladakh Saugat Biswas for his dedicated approach in providing smooth passage for the general citizenry of Kargil via air in wake of the closure of the NH-1D Kargil-Srinagar Highway. CEC Khan said that the IAF has always been at the forefront in providing relief to the general public and on behalf of the people of the frontier Kargil district, he expressed profound gratitude to the IAF authorities. It is pertinent to mention here that due to inclement weather, C-17, C130J and IL 76 aircrafts were also pressed into service.
Feroz Khan said that the UT Administration under the able guidance of the LG Ladakh R K Mathur has been successful in providing relief to the people of Ladakh despite the harsh winter conditions. He expressed optimism that the air services would continue in the future and that the LAHDC Kargil would receive continued support from the UT Administration as well as the Indian Air Force.
