Army Pilots Execute Daring High-Altitude Evacuation in Ladakh
· India · Hindustan Times, Gulf News
Two Indian Army Aviation pilots landed a single-engine Cheetal helicopter at 18,600 feet near the Nun-Kun peaks in Ladakh's Zanskar range to evacuate an injured junior commissioned officer. The aviators braved extreme weather and strong winds, executing a critical landing with just one skid barely touching the treacherous, snow-clad slope. To accomplish the challenging mission during the final landing window of the day, the crew removed non-essential equipment and carried limited fuel to lighten the aircraft. Despite the daring rescue, the soldier ultimately succumbed to his injuries at an Army hospital in Kargil. The Leh-based HQs 14 Corps operates around 25 Cheetals, while the Army plans to phase out its aging Cheetah and Chetak fleets over the next year or two in favor of new light utility helicopters.
Why it matters
This mission highlights the extreme operational risks faced by military aviators in high-altitude sectors like Ladakh and underscores the Indian Army's ongoing efforts to replace its aging helicopter fleets.
Read the original report — Hindustan Times
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