Indian Army Aviation pilots carried out a challenging casualty evacuation near the Nun-Kun massif in Ladakh at an altitude of 18,600 feet. The mission was conducted in strong winds and on a steep slope where there was no suitable space for a conventional landing.
To manage the extreme conditions, the helicopter was lightened by removing non-essential equipment and carrying limited fuel. The pilots then executed a highly precise one-skid landing, keeping one skid on the slope while the aircraft remained partly airborne, allowing the casualty to be safely evacuated.
The operation was carried out during the last available landing window of the day, making the mission even more demanding. The successful rescue highlighted the exceptional flying skills, courage and determination of Indian Army Aviation personnel operating in some of the country’s most difficult high-altitude terrain.
