IAF choppers rescue 61 stranded civilians in Ladakh

The Indian Air Force today rescued 61 civilians stranded on Leh-Zanskar road in the frontier region of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Indian Air Force today rescued 61 civilians stranded on Leh-Zanskar road in the frontier region of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir.

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"The IAF at the request of the state government provided two helicopters for rescuing the 61 civilians who were stranded at Chadder on Leh-Zanskar road," an official said here.

The group of civilians had started from Leh on foot for Zanskar which remains cut off from rest of the world due to heavy snowfall during winter.

Trekking between Zanskar and Leh is a common practice during winters and involves walking over the frozen surface of a stream at Chadder, the official said.

However he said the group of people could not cross the river as its surface had already melted leaving them stranded.

The official said since the helicopters could not land at the spot the stranded civilians were lifted with ropes and dropped on the other side of the river.

"The group has reached the first village in Zanskar sub-division. They have been provided with food and other essential items to sustain them during their journey," he added.

The 106-km Leh-Zanskar road is expected to reopen for traffic in May.