Having airlifted more than 20,000 stranded pilgrims from Uttarakhand during the recent floods, it was the turn of IAF to evacuate its own helicopter on Thursday from getting buried under a landslide there.

The experienced pilots safely brought out the advanced light helicopter (AlH) though night flying is not allowed in the hills due to inherent risks. The incident took place at Gauchar, one of the worst affected places during the recent natural calamity. The helicopter was stationed there to help Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) carry out ongoing relief operations.

As the two pilots were resting in the ITBP mess at Gauchar, a landslide warning was sounded and everyone was asked to vacate the site even as stones were rolling down at the nearby hills.  Not willing to leave behind the helicopter, the pilots had only one option and that was to fly out. However, there were no basic flying aids like airfield lighting let alone other navigational facilities, officials said adding it was drizzling.  Even though the flying time to Gauchar advanced landing ground was just five to seven minutes, the hazards involved were high.  The two pilots sought permission from their commander based at Dehradun to fly at night and it was granted.

ITBP jawans provided light by switching on their torches and lit up the camp with headlights of their jeeps thereby enabling the pilots to take off at 11.55 pm.  They safely navigated the helicopter to the Gauchar advanced landing ground thereby displaying flying skills of the highest order in most demanding circumstance, officials said.