By A O News Service
ITANAGAR, June 29: The 19-member rescue team, airdropped on June 12 near the wreckage site of ill fated An-32, was airlifted on Saturday with the sun shining brightly facilitating the IAF chopper to venture into flying zone above the treacherous Pari hills in remote border Payum circle of Siang district.
Siang DC Rajiv Takuk told this daily over telephone that the nightmare of the rescue team ended after they spent 18 days at a height of 12000-ft braving slippery clips, presence of venomous snakes, insects and wild animals with their food stock getting exhausted.
Three IAF helicopters – 2 advanced landing helicopter and an MI 17 – airlifted the team members – eight personnel of the IAF and 4 of the Army besides seven civilians including Okenmang Mize, Talik Darung, agum Tamut and Everesters Taka Tamut and K. Tekseng, deputed by Siang district Administration awhile two local men were deputed by Shi Yomi DC to assist the rescue team, the DC said, adding Tamut who was a part of the mission since first day on June 11 had stayed back and joined his Yomi district associates.
DIPRO added that the team landed at Aalo advanced landing ground (ALG) hale and hearty but were taken to district hospital for a routine medical check-up.
The An-32 transport aircraft after taking off from Jorhat air base in Assam was heading for Mechuka ALG along China border had crashed due to inclement weather killing all 13 onboard. The wreckage was located on June 19.
Aalo DIPRO adds: The IAF rescue operation was led by Eastern Command SASO air marshal Sandeep Singh while wing commander Namit Rawat headed the Aalo base camp.
The rescue team and pilots were received at Aalo Helipad by Aalo Brigage commanding officer Brig. Dayalan and APEDA deputy director Somar Otom. Otom has been coordinating the operation since the beginning.
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