New Delhi : Indian Air Force helicopters played a key role during the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, undertaking nearly 300 sorties in over 160 hours.
The Western Air Command pressed its helicopter fleet into action from Nov 25 in aid of the elections, following a request by the Election Commission.
The IAF flew electoral officers, security personnel and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to far flung and remote regions and back.
The IAF helicopters operated at altitudes ranging from 6,000 feet to 14,000 feet above sea level, said an official statement.
The assembly elections were held in five phases from Nov 25 to Dec 20.
The IAF played a major role in reaching far-flung and inaccessible areas – like Inshan, Nawapanchi and Sondar, Kargil and the high altitude and remote locations in Zanskar and Ladakh ranges – using helicopters like Mi-17 V5, ALH and Cheetah.