J&K floods: Stone pelting incidents won't deter us, we'll rescue everyone stranded, says IAF

Srinagar: The Indian Army and the Air Force have been engaged in rescue and relief operations in the flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir day and night. Even as there have been incidents of some soldiers being attacked during these rescue operations, they say that such incidents do not deter them from rescuing each and every person.

Speaking to CNN-IBN, Air Commodore Balachandran said that he understands that people are frustrated over the rescue and relief operations. "We have had instances of stone pelting. They are because of the desperation and expectations of the people. But these instances like stone pelting do not stop us form doing our job," he said.

ALSO SEE J&K floods: Wing Commander Abhijit Bali swam 20 km to rescue his family, neighbours

He appealed to the people to stay calm and not panic, adding that the Army and the Air Force will bring each and every person stranded due to floods to a safer place. "The situation is improving every day. Please don't panic. We have been successful in rescuing thousands to safer place," Captain Balachandran said.

An NDRF trooper had received severe injuries on his hand when the locals attacked him in Srinagar on Wednesday. The locals apparently wanted the NDRF men to concentrate on a particular area and when the force personnel decided to go to a different marooned area, the locals attacked them.

The Army, Air Force and NDRF are leading the relief and rescue operations while some of their own remain stranded. One of the heroic tales is of Wing Commander Abhijit Bali, whose family was also the victim of the floods in which over 200 people have lost their lives. Bali came back to Srinagar to rescue his family and after that he walked and swam 20 kilometre back to the base. He not only rescued his family but a few of his neighbours too.

The Air Force is also engaged in sorties air dropping supplies to those stranded on rooftops. 140 tonnes of food supplies have been received overnight.

Army Chief General Dalbir Singh also visited Srinagar on Wednesday. The Army has set up 18 relief camps across the flood zone. The Army also rescued a 28-member Pakistani golf team and the Ambassador of Nepal from Srinagar.