AI Generated Summary
- In a breathtaking display of skill and bravery, the Indian Army Aviation carried out a high-stakes rescue operation on Wednesday morning, airlifting 25 people — including 22 CRPF personnel and three civilians — from a building engulfed by floodwaters near Madhopur Headworks, close to Lakhanpur in Jammu and Kashmir’s border with Punjab.
- “This operation stands as a testament to the Indian Army’s unwavering commitment to saving lives,” a defence spokesperson said, crediting the flawless coordination between the Army and local authorities for averting what could have been a mass tragedy.
- The successful evacuation is a rare bright spot amid the region’s worsening flood crisis, as authorities brace for continued challenges in the days ahead.
In a breathtaking display of skill and bravery, the Indian Army Aviation carried out a high-stakes rescue operation on Wednesday morning, airlifting 25 people — including 22 CRPF personnel and three civilians — from a building engulfed by floodwaters near Madhopur Headworks, close to Lakhanpur in Jammu and Kashmir’s border with Punjab.
The mission began at first light, with Army helicopters lifting off at 6 a.m. as relentless rain-fed floods from overflowing rivers — the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi — continued to submerge large swathes of Punjab. The stranded group had taken refuge atop the structure as waters surged around them.
#Watch | Indian Army Aviation undertook a high-risk helicopter rescue operation today, evacuating stranded civilians and CRPF personnel from a building surrounded by raging floodwaters in Pathankot, Punjab. pic.twitter.com/BcdKZ9bQV7
— NDTV (@ndtv) August 27, 2025
In perilous conditions, Army pilots managed to land on the partially submerged, unstable building — a maneuver demanding extraordinary precision and courage. The rescue was completed just in time: moments after the last person was lifted to safety, the structure collapsed into the floodwaters below.
“This operation stands as a testament to the Indian Army’s unwavering commitment to saving lives,” a defence spokesperson said, crediting the flawless coordination between the Army and local authorities for averting what could have been a mass tragedy.
The successful evacuation is a rare bright spot amid the region’s worsening flood crisis, as authorities brace for continued challenges in the days ahead.
