IAF plays key role in restoring power in Kashmir

The Indian Air Force played a major role for the quick repair of the snapped transmission lines following the recent snowfall, restoring power to the Kashmir valley.

Defence spokesman S N Acharya in a statement said, "On January 6, there was an extensive power break down in Kashmir valley. State government gave a requisition to IAF through Power Grid Corporation. A helicopter recce was conducted to assess the faults along with Power Grid engineers in snow clad and difficult terrain from Ramban to Banihal. The plan of winching down the technicians close to the towers having faults was made."

"On January 9, the IAF MI-17 flown by Wing Commander Anurag, Wing Commander Saxena and  Flt Lt Tomar did a successful mission in dropping four Power Grid engineers along with five tons of crucial repair equipment at Chanderkot helipad near Ramsu. From there the personnel were dropped near the faulty towers by a Cheetah Helicopter being flown by Wing Commander Nitin Welde, Flt lt Nainwal and winch operator Sqn Ldr Abhijit Kumar, the winching operations was carried out as there were no helipads, roads near these towers," the statement said.

"This is the first unique well coordinated mission to repair major power failures undertaken by IAF and Power Grid Corporation. This extremely difficult task was outcome of meticulous planning and nicely executed by the joint team of Jammu and Udhampur Air Forces Bases," the statement added.