Meanwhile, armed forces shift gears, now Phase II

With air bridges now established between Tangdhar, Uri, Srinagar and Udhampur, IAF and Army choppers have begun branching out to smaller villages in the region. In Uri, Sultantacki, Shahdara, Chaakra, Urusa and Kamalkot are being accessed while Tangdhar, Simari, Tootihaji, Ibkot, Bahadurkot and Shamakot received relief supplies yesterday and today.

The second phase will also see a progressive handing over of relief operations to the civil administration.

‘‘This is a critical phase. It is getting colder by the day and there have been thundershowers. It is imperative that operations during this phase ensure that victims have shelter, warm clothing and food ahead of the harsh winter months,’’ said Air Vice Marshal S C Mukul, the IAF’s HQ pointman overseeing rescue and relief. ‘‘The first phase was to make sure we could save as many lives as possible. The focus has shifted now to relief and reaching supplies,’’ he said.

IAF pilots have completed 388 airborne relief and rescue sorties so far, over 300 of these in helicopters, lifting 472 tonnes of materials and airlifting 477 casualties to safety so far.

Six soldiers killed

SRINAGAR: Six soldiers were killed in Tangdhar area on the Line of Control (LoC) while on a rescue mission. The soldiers were killed when an Army patrol came under a landslide. ‘‘Our six soldiers, who were on a rescue mission, were killed when they came under a landslide,’’ said Col Hemant Juneja. “We have fanned foot patrol parties in different directions to provide relief and rescue operations in inaccessible areas.” — ENS