Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar, Army Commander of Western Command, visited the flood-affected forward areas in Jammu and Punjab to review the ongoing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, the Army said on Sunday.
🔹 Review of HADR Operations
During the visit, the Army Commander was briefed on the extensive rescue, relief, and rehabilitation measures undertaken by Army troops in coordination with state administrations, police, and civil authorities.
He expressed satisfaction with:
- High level of preparedness
- Swift deployment of columns
- Round-the-clock evacuation of stranded civilians
- Provision of medical aid and essential supplies
- Restoration of connectivity in affected areas
He also commended the dedication and synergy of all stakeholders, including Police and Civil Administration Officials, for effectively mitigating the crisis.
🔹 Deployment and Rescue Efforts
The Western Command has mobilized:
- 47 columns, including Army Aviation & IAF Helicopter-Based units
- Formation engineers, medical, and communication teams
Aviation assets deployed:
- 20 aircraft, including 3 Advanced Light Helicopters
- 10 reconnaissance and observation helicopters
- 6 Mi-17s and 1 Chinook
These platforms were used for evacuation of stranded civilians and delivery of essential relief materials.
🔹 Notable Rescue Operation
On Wednesday, the Indian Army Aviation conducted a daring rescue near Madhopur Headworks in Punjab’s Pathankot district, saving 22 CRPF personnel and 3 civilians stranded by rising floodwaters.
- Helicopters were launched at 6 AM despite challenging weather
- All individuals were safely evacuated
🔹 Commitment to Relief
The Western Command remains fully committed to assisting civil administration and local populations, aiming to mitigate the impact of floods and restore normalcy as quickly as possible.
