The Indian Air Force, true to its mission of ‘People First Mission Always’, carried out a risky casualty evacuation operation by night.

On 10 Sep 22, the IAF was pressed into action to carry out an emergency medical evacuation of a critically injured BSF jawan from Krishnanagar to Kolkata. Constable Shabir Ahmad Wani of 141 Bn BSF had sustained critical injuries while carrying out an operational task. As his condition deteriorated, IAF was requested to airlift the patient to Kolkata. 157 Helicopter Unit of the IAF immediately launched a Mi-17 V5 in air ambulance configuration late at night, with a qualified medical team onboard.

The mission was challenging as the rescue operation was to be conducted from an unfamiliar helipad by night. However, the experienced crew accomplished the mission on aided vision, and handed over the patient safely to the medical team at Kolkata airport after midnight .