Two children who were stranded overnight atop a water tank in the Siddharth Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh were safely rescued on Sunday morning by a helicopter belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The children became stranded late Saturday night after the access ladder to the water tank was damaged, preventing their descent. Following a request from Uttar Pradesh state government authorities, the Central Air Command (CAC) of the IAF deployed a Mi-17 V5 helicopter for the rescue operation.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that video footage shared on the social media platform X by the CAC depicted the helicopter hovering at a low altitude above the tall water tank. IAF personnel were lowered using a winch to reach the children, whom they then retrieved one by one.
The District Magistrate of Siddharth Nagar, Shivsharanappa, stated in media reports that the rescue operation was carried out in close collaboration with the Air Force and the state administration. Continuous communication was maintained throughout the planning and execution phases of the rescue. The Air Force helicopter successfully rescued the two children around 5:30 AM, and they were confirmed to be safe. The helicopter subsequently landed directly in Gorakhpur.
The IAF commented on X that the rescue mission once again demonstrated the professionalism and dedication of the Air Force in swiftly responding to save lives during emergencies. The Indian Air Force has a history of deploying its Mi-17 helicopters for various humanitarian aid missions, including rescuing civilians trapped by natural calamities such as floods, landslides, and inclement weather. These helicopters are also utilized for other civil assistance operations, including medical evacuations and efforts to combat forest fires.
The Mi-17 V5, a medium-lift helicopter, is considered a primary asset for the IAF’s rotorcraft fleet. These aircraft are extensively used for logistical support, particularly in challenging mountainous terrains. Some of these helicopters have also been retrofitted and armed for undertaking attack missions.
The Chenab Times News Desk