NewsGate Press Network

Braving severe air turbulence in a narrow valley in Ladakh, the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully rescued a stranded Israeli tourist from a high altitude area saving his life just in the nick of time.

It happened on Saturday the 20th of August 2022 when Noam Gil, an Israeli national travelling in Markha Valley in Ladakh reported a bout of acute high altitude sickness.

According to details shared by Srinagar-based Defence spokesperson Col Emron Musavi, at around 10:40 am, 114 Helicopter Unit received a call for Casevac (casualty evacuation) from Nimaling Camp near the Markha valley, asking for immediate medical assistance.

The oxygen level of Israeli national had fallen to life threating low level of 68 per cent.

In view of the severity of his condition, Col Musavi said, Gil had to be rescued from the valley which is known for its severe turbulent conditions.

Led by Wg Cdr Ashish Kapoor, Flt Cdr 114 Helicopter Unit, with Flt Lt Kushagra Singh and Wg Cdr S Badiyaree and Sqn Ldr S Nagpal as no. 2, got airborne within 20 minutes for this critical mission, he said.

Braving strong winds and turbulent conditions, the formation reached the spot in about 45 minutes.

In fact the Israeli tourist was reported to have begun his movement on his own apparently to a lower height to improve his oxygen level.

When the IAF’s rescue team in Cheetah helicopter reached the designated location, it had to search for his whereabouts.

According to Col Emron Musavi, after a continuous search for 30 minutes the Israeli was spotted at the bottom of the valley near the river.

IAF pilots are reported to have made a difficult manoeuvre in the restricted space available at the bottom of the valley and successfully got airborne.

Being low on fuel the Cheetah helicopter routed back via a standby route braving all difficulties before finally landing back at Leh, Col Emron Musavi added.