5 IAF planes pressed into service for Sikkim quake relief

New Delhi, Sep 18 (PTI) Five Indian Air Force (IAF)
aircraft have been pressed into service for relief operations
in quake-hit northeastern Indian state Sikkim where at least
two persons died in the tremors.
Two persons were killed and 33 received minor injuries in
Sikkim as an earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter Scale
with its epicentre on Sikkim-Nepal border shook northeast and
the northern parts of the country Sunday evening.
Of the five aircraft being pressed into service, two
C-130J Hercules aircraft have been deployed from Hindon to
Bagdogra airbase, while two AN-32 aircraft along with another
Avro aircraft have been sent for the earthquake relief
operations in Sikkim, an Indian Air Force spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added that helicopters, if required,
could be sent from Eastern Air Command areas for the relief
operations.
A government spokesman, however, said while one aircraft
is pressed into service from Palam to Bagdogra and one from
Kolkata to Bagdogra, along with personnel of the National
Disaster Rescue Force (NDRF) and equipment, for the relief
operations.
From Bagdogra airbase, the spokesman added, the NDRF would
go by road which is being facilitated by the Border Security
Force (BSF) and the West Bengal Government.