Indian Air Force has pressed its transport and helicopter assets into service for rescue and relief operations at Amarnath. Mi-17V5 helicopters have inducted NDRF and civil administration personnel at Panchtarni and rescued 21 survivors. The helicopters have also brought back six mortal remains. Further operations by IAF Mi-17V5 and Cheetal helicopters are in progress. Aircraft are on standby at all major air bases in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh areas.
Army also carrying out relentless rescue ops for Amarnath Yatris
Besides, Indian Army on Saturday said it is relentlessly carrying out rescue operations for injured Amarnath Yatris in the cloud burst that triggered flash floods near the Cave and left 15 Yatris dead and 63 injured.
A Srinagar based defence spokesman Col Emron Musavi said the rescue teams immediately rushed to the site on getting information about casualties.
“An Infantry Battalion led by Colonel along with Quick Reaction Teams, an additional company comprising personnel from Sector RR (Rashtriya Rifles) and a team from Special Forces reached Holy Cave along with specialized rescue equipment to undertake the rescue ops,” the spokesman said.
Through the night, Commander Sector RR and Commanding Officer Infantry Battalion oversaw and coordinated rescue operations from the Holy Cave and Nilgrar.
“Nine Surveillance Detachments with HHTI, NVDs and other nights sights were also deployed for search ops. Hand Held Thermal Imagers, Night Vision Devices and other night sights were used for searching. Two ALHs (Advanced Light Helicopters) were moved for casualty evacuation at Holy Cave, however owing to bad weather situation night landing at Cave was unsuccessful. Two Through Wall Radars and two Search And Rescue dog squads were also moved to Holy Cave for rescue ops,” the spokesman said.
The search, rescue and medical effort continued at day break. At 6.45 AM the first ALH landed at site to commence evacuation of the injured.
Both Army and Civilian helicopters are carrying out relentless sorties to evacuate the injured and the dead.
The spokesman said 15 bodies have been moved from Holy Cave to Nilagrar. Stranded Yatris are being escorted by Indian Army personnel till Baltal, since the track is slushy and slippery. Simultaneously search was also commenced at daybreak at Amarnath Nar at Sangam for any possible casualties.
Lt Gen ADS Aujla, Chinar Corps Commander and Maj Gen Sanjiv Singh Slaria, GOC Kilo Force visited the Holy Cave early in the morning to review the rescue and medical efforts being undertaken by the Indian Army. The GOC Chinar Corps also interacted with the Yatris and locals and assured of all possible help from Indian Army.
"Citizens are advised to contact on Army helpline number + 91 9149720998 for assistance/enquiry. Callers are also advised to have details of Yatris such as Name, Yatra registration / RFID number, Contact number, Aadhar number and the last known location and time," he said
It added that the Indian Army is committed to assist the Yatris in all possible ways and under all circumstances. The rescue and medical efforts will continue through the day and details will be updated for general information of the public.