Czech trekkers rescued by IAF
Pilots of the Leh-based Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter unit evacuated two foreign nationals, Czech brothers Lucas and Tomas Pfeifer, from the higher reaches of Padam valley in the Zanskar ranges of the Ladakh region on 5 August. The brothers were among members of a Czech trekking expedition who were crossing a river near Testha Village in Zanskar Valley when Lucas Pfeifer was critically injured in a fall.
Pilots of the Leh-based Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter unit evacuated two foreign nationals, Czech brothers Lucas and Tomas Pfeifer, from the higher reaches of Padam valley in the Zanskar ranges of the Ladakh region on 5 August. The brothers were among members of a Czech trekking expedition who were crossing a river near Testha Village in Zanskar Valley when Lucas Pfeifer was critically injured in a fall, resulting in a knee fracture and ligament tear that rendered him completely immobile; his brother Tomas also sustained injuries while trying to support Lucas during the fall.
The injury, inclement weather, high altitude and remote location combined forced the team to request emergency air rescue through their embassy and the government of Jammu and Kashmir. The IAF helicopter unit, nicknamed ‘Siachen Pioneers’, received a message at 01:30 hrs on the night of 5 August for the evacuation. Immediately, the commanding officer called in a briefing for the aircrew and supervised their planning for safe conduct of the mission. The team then rested in order to begin the mission at daybreak. A two-helicopter rescue team was airborne at 06:00 hrs.
The rescue team comprised of Sqn Ldr S. Agarwal, Flt Lt Maneesh Singh and Flt Lt C. Shekhawat, led by Wg Cdr D. C. Tiwari. The aircrew were required to operate their machines close to their operational limits, in marginal weather that had kept flying on hold on the previous day, flying in one of the most treacherous valleys of the Ladakh region. Accurate navigation to the remote location and correct assessment of the situation ensured that the helicopters reached the site quickly, which was vital for saving the lives of the critically injured expedition members, said the IAF. After assessing the landing site – which was unprepared and had a slope gradient that was just within the limits of the aircraft – Wg Cdr D. C. Tiwari manoeuvred his helicopter to land in a confined area with only a marginal reserve of power. Without wasting any time, the casualty was taken onboard while the second helicopter maintained a close watch from above. The same precautions were observed by the second aircraft, piloted by Sqn Ldr S. Agarwal, who picked up the second brother.
The IAF asserted: “The Siachen Pioneers crew displayed [the] highest level of professionalism and courage, without fearing for their own safety, resulting in the successful completion of the mercy mission which was more than evident from the convincing smile of Pfeifer brothers, Lucas and Tomas, on landing at Air Force Station Leh.” The unit’s Commanding Officer credited the success of the mission to ‘the exemplary team work and motivation of all unit pilots and personnel, including the ground crew, who maintain the machines meticulously at all times’.
The IAF concluded that in carrying out the mission, Air Force Station Leh and the Siachen Pioneers had lived up to their motto: “We do the difficult as a routine; the impossible (may) take a bit longer.”