Indian Air Force airlifts relief supplies in Kashmir

Udhampur/Jammu, Feb 13 : The Indian Air Force (IAF) dropped food articles in Kashmir's Doda and Kishtwar districts where road connectivity has snapped after heavy rain washed off parts of a crucial highway last week.

"They are facing shortage of essential commodities. What the State Government is supplying, we will take there safely. And whatever the commodities they need, we will try to get it for them," said Wing Commander Pawan Sharma, an IAF officer at the Udhampur Air Force Base.

Half-a-kilometer stretch of the road between Batote-Kishtwar National Highway-1B collapsed as water from Chenab river submerged it.

Officials said the critically ill patients were being airlifted on a priority basis.

"We have been airlifting patients almost daily. As far as patients are concerned, the critically patients who cannot be given treatment there, is concerned," said Pawan Kotwal, divisional commissioner of Jammu.

The Border Roads Organization (BRO) has begun work on opening an alternative route on Bani-Bhaderwah road to connect the two districts. Usually the road remains closed during winter.