"In an immediate response, two Cheetah helicopters from Air Force Station Bagdogra executed casualty evacuations of critically injured accident victims from Thangu, Sikkim and saved precious lives from places deprived of advanced medical facilities and road transportation." said an official from Eastern Air Force.

Indian Air Force's two Cheetah helicopters executed casualty evacuations of critically injured accident victims from Thangu, Sikkim on Wednesday. "In an immediate response, two Cheetah helicopters from Air Force Station Bagdogra executed casualty evacuations of critically injured accident victims from Thangu, Sikkim and saved precious lives from places deprived of advanced medical facilities and road transportation," said the Eastern Air Command IAF.

Meanwhile, Relief operations by the Indian Air Force continued unabated in Sikkim, which is still counting the spoils from a devastating flash flood, officials said. According to officials, the IAF has been undertaking relief operations using its Cheetah, Chinook, Mi-17 1V and Mi-17 V5 helicopters, complementing the ongoing efforts of the Sikkim government to bring a measure of relief to people affected by the calamity and meet their requirements on priority.

Till now, the IAF has flown 262 sorties, resulting in the safe transportation of 2,002 civilians from the flood-ravaged areas to safer locations and the shifting of over 1,32,805 kg of relief material to the affected areas, according to an official release. The IAF said it has also ferried 259 relief workers and 179 personnel of the Indian Army to the affected areas to extend a helping hand in the ongoing relief work.