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1. A mammoth Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) task was carried out by the IAF from 25 Apr 15 to 04 Jun 15. Within four hours of the earthquake that struck Nepal, IAF swung into action and routed one C-130J aircraft, two C-17, one IL-76, airlifting 295 NDRF personnel, 46.5 tonnes of load and five sniffer dogs.

2. Lots of relief material for over a month were airlifted like water, field hospitals, blankets, tents, Paramedics, stretchers, medicines, prepared food, milk, utensils, vegetables, Meals Ready to Eat (MRE), RO Plants, Oxygen Regenerators, Air Force Communication Centre Vehicles, Rapid Action Medical Team (RAMT) with its transportable Operation Theatre, X-ray, Laboratory & patient beds etc.

3. IAF aircraft that took part in the operation included heavy lifters C-130J Super Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III, IL-76 Gajraj and medium lifter An-32. Besides these aircraft, 08 Medium Lift Helicopters (MLH) which included Mi-17 V5 and Mi-17.

4. Large scale relief & rescue operations were carried out by Mi-17 V5 and Mi-17 helicopters from detachments at Pokhara and Kathmandu. These operations were carried out to far flung inaccessible areas at earthquake affected places that included Lukla, Dhading, Millanchi, Gorkha, Chautara, Charikot, Melum, Aroghat, Dhunche, Trishuli, Ramechhap, Barpak, Narayan Chor, Namchi Bazar, Tatopani, Lamabagar and other remote villages.

5. During the relief & rescue operations, a total of 1677 sorties (including 1569 by IAF Helicopters) by various aircraft were carried out carrying 1348.995 tonnes of load and evacuating 5188 persons and 780 casualties.

RCD/MKS