IAF Chinooks airlift 135 Manimahesh pilgrims to safety in Himachal
The Indian Air Force on Friday airlifted 135 stranded devotees from Bharmour to Chamba in Himachal Pradesh, using three sorties of its Chinook helicopters, as part of the ongoing rescue operations during the Manimahesh Yatra.
Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi has been supervising the evacuation on the ground. The annual pilgrimage to the glacier-fed Manimahesh Lake, situated at 13,500 feet in the Pir-Panjal range, coincides with Janmashtami and draws devotees from across northern India.
The Chamba administration on Thursday began shifting nearly 500 devotees by road. With stretches of damaged routes, security personnel were deployed to assist and escort pilgrims to safety. Despite rough weather, 35 elderly and ailing devotees were also flown to Chamba on Thursday in a smaller helicopter, which completed seven sorties.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has been running free bus services for returning pilgrims. So far, 6,647 devotees have been transported to Pathankot and Kangra on 153 buses, he said, adding that the service would continue until every pilgrim reaches home safely.
