IAF Condors’ crew saved lives of several injured

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Professionalism, dedication and devotion to duty and the zeal to perform beyond the call of duty by the aircrew of “Condors” of IAF saved lives of some injured persons especially of two critically injured Ishaq 26, and Farooq, 25, who were shifted to a hospital at Jammu, where they are receiving medical care. Ishaq and Farooq along with others were travelling in a bus when the driver lost control and the bus fell into a ditch near Budhal, about 30 km from Rajouri, recently.

It was 5 pm and in the helicopter unit based at Jammu named “Condors”, Wing Commander Vishal Jain and Squadron Leader Soumya Das were mentally wrapping up the days’ work in the process of “packup” for the weekend. Little did they know that they would soon be playing saviour angels for people involved in a bus accident.

The nearest Airforce Station at Jammu was alerted and an immediate sortie for casualty evacuation was planned. Wing Commander Vishal, during the sortie planning process, found that the helipad at Budhal was too small and unfit for the Russian Mi-17 1V helicopters he flies. He suggested that the injured be brought to Rajouri by road as soon as possible and the air evacuation could be effected from Rajouri. The plan was agreed upon and the captain with his team took off for Rajouri helipad, a bigger and better equipped helipad, at close to 5. 40 pm. With light fading time was of utmost importance.

Upon landing at Rajouri at 6.45 pm the crew had to wait for the injured to be brought to Rajouri by road. Some injured expired during the journey. “If I had any slim chance of landing the bird at Budhal, I would have taken it. I would have been able to save a few more people,” rued the captain. The helicopter with injured and casualties, their near and dear ones took off from Rajouri helipad and landed at Jammu at 9.40 pm.