Jammu, Aug 19 (UNI) As many as five civilians were rescued on Monday in two separate operations by the teams of Indian Air Force and Police from sudden flash floods occurred here in River Tawi due to heavy rains in higher reaches.
“Highest level of Civil-military cooperation saved 04 precious lives from clutches of flooded Tawi in Jammu,” defence spokesman here said.
He added that on receipt of request from Divisional commissioner Jammu, Air Commodore A S Pathania, Air Officer Commanding, Air Force station Jammu and his team exhibited highest standards of professionalism by quick launch of rescue mission and precise coordination making it successful and life saving for four civilians.
He said that the mission led by Commanding Officer, Wing Commander Mukul Khare, with Co-pilot Squadron Leader Prem Pratik and Garud Commandoes Corporal Pahaar Singh and LAC Kedar reaching site in two minutes, quick assessment of the situation.
The overall ground coordination was done under Group Captain Sandeep Singh.
The crew spotted all four civilians and understood utmost importance of the rescue. Landing at the site was out of the question and establishing a low hover was also unfeasible due to the presence of obstructions.
He said that the crew had the foresight to carry along some rescue equipment, even decided that the best means to rescue the personnel was to lower a Gaud Commando onto the site, hook the civilians onto a harness and then lift them up and drop at a safe place.
“A gaud Commando rappelled down onto the pier. The Garud then attached rappelling harnesses to both of them and then the helicopter lifted them up simultaneously. They were then dropped to a safe location near the Tawi Banks,” said the spokesman.
Meanwhile in another operation, at about 1030 hors, one person namely Talib Hussain, son of Mohammad Shafi, resident of Udhampur, was trapped in the waters of River Tawi near Har Ki Poudi.
On receiving information, SDPO East DySP R S Rahi and SHO Bagh e Bahu, Inspector Sunil Kumar rushed to the spot with a police team.
With their efforts, the trapped person was quickly rescued and safely handed over to his family they said adding that a civilian also assisted the police in the operation.
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