Indian Army despatches heavy troops, advanced gadgets to Amarnath rescue

Srinagar: Indian Army deployed the latest machinery to rescue Amarnath pilgrims after the cloudburst and ensued flash floods on Saturday, PTI reported, citing an army official.

Army's rescue team rushed to the site as soon as it received an alert about the Friday-evening cloudburst.

According to the official, an infantry battalion led by a Colonel along with Quick Reaction Teams, an additional company of personnel from the Rashtriya Rifles Sector and a team from special forces were dispatched to the site with specialised rescue equipment.

"Through the night, the senior Army officers of the infantry battalion and Rashtriya Rifles oversaw and coordinated rescue operations from the cave and Nilgrar. Medical resources at the cave and Nilgrar were activated and additional resources deployed," the source said.

The gadgets deployed include nine surveillance detachments with hand-held thermal imagers and night vision devices. "Two advanced light helicopters (ALHs) were moved for casualty evacuation at the holy cave. However, owing to bad weather, the night landing at the cave was unsuccessful. Two Through Wall Radars and two Search And Rescue dog squads were also moved to the cave for the rescue operation," the officer said.

"At 6.45 am, the first ALH landed at the site to commence evacuation of the injured. A total of 15 bodies and 63 injured yatris have been taken out. Both Army and Civilian helicopters are carrying out relentless sorties to evacuate the injured and the dead," the official said. "A total of 28 patients have been evacuated from the cave to advanced dressing station Nilagrar. After stabilising, 11 have further been moved to SKIMS Srinagar in civil helicopters for treatment," he added.

He further said that bodies were removed from the holy cave to Nilagrar, and stranded pilgrims were escorted by the Indian Army personnel up to Baltal after the track had turned slushy and slippery.

"Simultaneously, a search was also commenced at daybreak at Amarnath Nar at Sangam for any possible casualties," the official said.

Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen ADS Aujla and Major General Sanjiv Singh Slaria, GOC of counter-insurgency Kilo Force, visited the Holy Cave early on Saturday to review the rescue and medical efforts undertaken by the Indian Army. The GOC Chinar Corps also interacted with the yatris and locals, assuring every possible help.