J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

J & K Government approaches IAF for emergency supplies
Chandigarh, February 20
With heavy snow cutting off land routes to the Kashmir valley, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has approached the Indian Air Force to airlift emergency supplies to Srinagar.

Vaishno Devi yatra resumes
Jammu, February 20
The pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, which was suspended yesterday due to avalanches on the track leading to the cave shrine in Trikuta Hills, was resumed early today with nearly 7,000 pilgrims being allowed to undertake the onward journey.

Hizb area commander, two others held
Jammu, February 20
A self-styled area commander of pro-Pakistan Hizb-ul-Mujahideen was among three persons arrested in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir last night, official sources said here today.

Amjad Ali Khan’s concert in Jammu
Jammu, February 20
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, one of the greatest masters of sarod, will present a live concert here on March 1. He will be joined by his sons, Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangan, to satiate the thirst of music lovers in the City of Temples.

J & K Government approaches IAF
for emergency supplies
Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 20
With heavy snow cutting off land routes to the Kashmir valley, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has approached the Indian Air Force to airlift emergency supplies to Srinagar.

"We will be airlifting about 15 tonnes of supplies from Jammu tomorrow," Air Officer Commanding 12 Wing, Air Cmde T K Venugopal, told The Tribune here today. "Two An-32 aircraft are being dedicated for the purpose," he added.

With weather conditions showing signs of improvement, the Air Force would also be resuming the task of airlifting troops stranded on either side of the Bannihal Pass on the snow-bound Jammu--Srinagar national highway. "Very limited flying could be undertaken for this purpose over the past about five days because of inclement weather conditions at Jammu and Srinagar", Air Commodore Venugopal said.

The runway and dispersal bay at the Srinagar airfield were covered with three-and-a-half feet of snow, making any operations by fixed-wing aircraft well nigh impossible. IAF pilots here said that according to information received by them from Srinagar, the runway is expected to be cleared of snow by this evening.

Meteorological reports indicate that the western disturbances prevailing in the atmosphere over the region, which was responsible for the unusual weather conditions, has now moved away. This, IAF officers said, would now pave the way for unlimited airlift operations.

The shift in weather also means clear nights, which would enable the IAF to operate night sorties from Jammu and Srinagar, which would hasten the task. The task of airlifting stranded troops is in addition to the task of air maintenance of the forward positions in the northern sector and other routine communication duties.

According to available information, about 7,000 military personnel bound for Srinagar are stranded at Jammu and Udhampur, while about 6,000 personnel are awaiting to be transported south from the state capital.

The IAF is deploying three IL-76 and seven AN-32 aircraft from its Chandigarh-based transport squadrons to fly on the Jammu/Udhampur/Srinagar circuit for airlifting the troops.

Earlier this month, the two squadrons had executed over a 100 sorties on this circuit.

The aircrew had continuously battled the elements and pitted their skills against the vagaries of nature to maintain the strategic airbridge to Srinagar. While the aircrew flew long hours during the day, the men on ground stayed awake at nights to ensure the flying machines remained fit in all respects.

Vaishno Devi yatra resumes

Hizb area commander, two others held

Amjad Ali Khan’s concert in Jammu
Tribune News Service