5-day-long IAF rescue operation ends

The five-day air rescue operation in Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul Valley came to an end yesterday with 252 people, comprising largely tourists, being evacuated safely from the snow-marooned region. Another 4,770 were rescued by road.

The rescued include foreigners from Germany, Norway, Denmark and Nepal, and a large number of Indian children and women. Airlifting of tourists by the Indian Air Force (IAF) was hampered on Friday afternoon owing to the onset of snowfall in the high hills. (IANS)