The IAF carries out a rescue operation in Poonch.

Jammu, April 7

The Indian Air Force (IAF) today came to the rescue of people trapped in the floods in Poonch after heavy rain lashed the district.A group of people were stranded on a small strip of land in the middle of the swollen Poonch river. The water around the land strip was increasing with every passing hour and rescue efforts by the local authorities were turning out to be futile. Realising the enormity of the situation, the district administration requested the IAF for assistance.Defence PRO said that at 12 pm, the ‘Condors’ (a Mi-17 1V helicopter unit in Jammu) was tasked with the rescue. The unit technicians prepared and launched the helicopter for the rescue mission within 30 minutes. The crew got airborne by 1 pm, but heavy rain and lightning en route forced them to return to Jammu. It took off again at 5 pm. Itnavigated to the distress location and identified two islands in the middle of the raging river.“Due to the proximity of huts and electricity wires, the helicopter couldn’t land and established a hover on the first island at 15 feet. IAF Garud Commandos bravely went down a rope ladder and started rescuing the villagers one by one,” the defence PRO said.A total of 17 villagers, including a baby, were rescued by the IAF. The crew then flew to Poonch, where it was received by the Army. — TNS

Army saves pregnant woman  Srinagar: Army men and locals came to the rescue of a pregnant woman in north Kashmir when the ambulance in which she was travelling got stuck near Malpura village on the Bandipora-Srinagar highway. “The Army with the help of locals managed to rescue the stuck ambulance and ensured its safe movement from an alternate route,” an Army spokesman said. The woman gave birth to a healthy baby boy at Lal Ded Hospital in Srinagar, he added. The Army carried out rescue operations in other parts of the Valley. tNS

Army school celebrates Health Day

Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 7

Army Public School, Jammu Cantt, today celebrated World Health Day on the theme ‘Depression’. The day began with a special assembly in which students presented a skit on the ill-effects of junk food.Maj Gen Nilendra Kumar, ADG, National Cadet Corps (NCC), J&K Directorate, visited and inspired students to lead a disciplined life, become responsible citizens and help in nation building. He said the NCC was a platform where students reformed themselves as it focused on character and confidence building.