Rescue of Maldharis
The IAF pressed into service, its Mi-8 and Chetak aircraft promptly in response to a request for casualty evacuation of villagers at Enjar Village.
Led by Wing Commander Vikas Bali and co-pilot Flight Lieutenant Manoj Sharma and full compliment and configuration as per the mission requirement, the helicopter searched for 20 minutes on reaching the coordinates given before finally spotting the stranded persons dispersed at three different locations in the salty swamps of the Little Rann of Kutch. Of the 21 persons, 15 seemed to be in critical condition. Most of them lying on the slush in seemingly semi conscious condition. Comprehending the gravity of the situation, the crew decided to try a low hover pick up of the injured persons. The helicopter was lowered to a height of half a meter above ground and the flight gunner extended the ladder outside. With the helicopter hovering in wind speed close to 25 knots, the flight gunner pulled all the survivors one by one inside the helicopter. Most of the survivors were dehydrated, exhausted and in semi conscious condition. After hovering for 5-6 minutes in strong, gusty winds at three different spots, finally all the survivors were taken inside the cargo compartment.
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