Kamal Ghorui
LOHIT: The Indian Air Force (IAF) dropped over 12,000 litres of water to fight forest fires in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lohit Valley, operating at altitudes of nearly 9,500 feet in the Himalayan terrain.The IAF deployed Mi-17V5 helicopters for the operation, which involved challenging conditions at high altitude. In a post shared on X on Thursday, IAF wrote, “Battling forest fires at nearly 9,500 feet in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lohit Valley. IAF Mi-17V5 helicopters dropped 12,000 litres of water in the rarefied Himalayan air, showcasing exceptional courage, precision and a commitment towards protecting lives and fragile ecosystems.”This operation comes amid a series of rapid-response missions by the Indian Air Force (IAF). In a separate event, the IAF quickly dispatched a team of Air Traffic Control (ATC) personnel along with essential technical equipment from Air Force Station Lohegaon to Baramati Airport in Maharashtra, following an urgent request from the state government, Defence officials said on Wednesday.The team swiftly set up emergency ATC services, including communication and other critical facilities, in coordination with local authorities to ensure safe and efficient air traffic management, the officials added.In an X post, the IAF stated that a dedicated team of Air Warriors was deployed at the urgent request of civic authorities following a plane crash at Baramati Airport. The personnel are providing basic ATC and Meteorological services to ensure safe air operations.“In response to the civic authorities’ urgent request after the tragic aircraft crash at Baramati Airport, the Indian Air Force has swiftly deployed a dedicated team of Air Warriors. They are providing essential basic Air Traffic Control (ATC) and Meteorological services to support safe air operations from the site. This rapid assistance underscores IAF’s commitment to national service in times of need,” the IAF wrote.The Baramati deployment came in the wake of the tragic crash landing of a charter plane on Thursday morning that claimed the life of Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar.(With agency inputs)
