Indian Army Aviation pilots carried out a challenging casualty evacuation near the Nun-Kun peaks in Ladakh’s Zanskar range, landing a single-engine Cheetal helicopter at an altitude of 18,600 feet.
The pilots faced strong winds, steep snow-covered terrain and virtually no landing space while attempting to evacuate an injured Junior Commissioned Officer on Saturday. To enable the operation, the helicopter was lightened by removing non-essential equipment and carrying limited fuel.
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The pilots executed a precision landing with one skid barely touching the treacherous slope, allowing the casualty to be evacuated during the last available landing window of the day.
The Leh-based Headquarters 14 Corps described the mission as a “daring high-altitude casualty evacuation”, praising the pilots’ courage, determination and precision. The injured soldier was taken to an Army hospital in Kargil but, despite the evacuation, later succumbed to his injuries.
The operation highlights the demanding conditions faced by Army Aviation crews while conducting rescue missions in the high-altitude terrain of Ladakh.
