Srinagar, Jan 29: Dawar Battalion of Snow Leopard Brigade airlifted more than 100 stranded civilians including critically ill patients and elderly people from Gurez, said a defense spokesman on Wednesday.
“Gurez Valley is presently cut off from Kashmir since early November due to unprecedented heavy snowfall. A large number of locals are stranded as the early snowfall this year came as a surprise,” he said.
“On 26 Jan, Dawar Garrison of the Indian Army received an urgent request from civil administration for early evacuation of serious patients and other civilians, a defense spokesman said in a statement issued here today. The Army and Air Force in a joint effort evacuated 27 females, 81 males and six children including three critical patients from Dawar and Sonarwain Helipads of Indian Army,” the spokesman said.
“The helipad at Dawar was made operational despite heavy snow cover in record time. The army also provided necessary succour and administrative support in the cold weather conditions at the helipads. The three critically ill patients were stabilised by the Medical Officer of the Dawar Battalion at the Helipad before they could be evacuated by air,” he added.
