In a remarkable display of inter-service collaboration, the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully airlifted an injured Indian Army soldier to Delhi, saving his severed hand. The soldier, who was operating machinery in a forward location in Ladakh, had only a narrow window of 6-8 hours for successful reattachment surgery.
The IAF responded with exceptional speed, deploying a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft within an hour of receiving the distress call. Despite the challenges of a nighttime airlift, pilots skillfully used Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) to navigate the remote Ladakh sector.
Upon arrival in Delhi, the soldier was rushed to the Army's Research and Referral (R&R) Hospital, where a dedicated team of surgeons reattached his hand in a successful emergency procedure. He is currently recovering and is expected to return to full duty.
This incident underscores the vital cooperation between the Indian Army and Air Force. The IAF's swift and skillful airlift, combined with the expertise of the R&R medical team, ensured this soldier received the lifesaving care he needed.
