What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
SRINAGAR: They have been bravely defending our borders and fighting terrorists, but the Indian armed forces are also at the forefront of any natural disaster in the country.
It was not surprising that security forces once again carried out rescue operations for the Amarnath Yatris who faced the brunt of nature in the cloudburst that hit Baltal.
The army was quick to send a rescue team to the site on getting information about casualties. Senior Army officers including general officer commanding (GoC), 15 Corps visited the cave to oversee the rescue and medical operations.
“The rescue team immediately rushed to the site upon getting information about casualties. An Infantry Battalion led by Colonel along with Quick Reaction Teams, an additional company with personnel from Sector RR and a team from Special Forces reached Holy Cave along with specialised rescue equipment to undertake Rescue Ops. Through the night, Commander Sect RR and CO Infantry Battalion oversaw and coordinated rescue ops from the Holy Cave and Nilgrar,” Army said in a statement.
ALSO READ: 10 Die, Over 40 Missing As Cloudburst Hit Amarnath Yatris
The statement also highlighted that all the medical resources at the Holy Cave and Nilgrar were activated and additional resources deployed.
Army also used modern gadgets, including Through Wall Radars, for any possible survivors under the debris along with Rescue Dogs for search and rescue operation.
“Nine Surveillance Detachments were deployed for search ops. Hand-Held Thermal Imagers, Night Vision Devices and other night sights were used for the search. Two ALH helicopters were moved for casualty evacuation at the Holy Cave, however owing to bad weather situation night landing at the Cave was unsuccessful,” the statement said.
“The search, rescue and medical effort continued during the daybreak. At 6.45 am, the first ALH landed at the site to commence evacuation of the injured. A total of 15 fatal and 63 injured Yatris have been rescued. Both Army and civilian helicopters are carrying out relentless sorties to evacuate the injured and the dead. Injured Yatris’ medical treatment is ongoing,” the statement added.
ALSO READ: Amarnath Yatra Resumes From Baltal Area
A total of 28 patients have been evacuated from the Holy Cave to Advanced Dressing Station in Nilagrar. “After stabilising, 11 have further been moved to SKIMS Srinagar in civil helicopters for treatment. 15 dead 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,” the statement read.
The statement also said that a simultaneous search was also commenced at daybreak at Amarnath Nar at Sangam for any possible casualties.
Lt Gen ADS Aujla, GOC Chinar Corps 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 them of all possible help from the Indian Army.
“Citizens are advised to contact the Army helpline number +91 9149720998 for assistance/enquiry. Callers are also advised to have details of Yatris such as Name, Yatra registration/RFID (Radio-frequency identification) number, contact number, Aadhar number and the last known location and time,” the statement said.
