IAF demonstrates operational versatility on emergency airstrip on Purvanchal Expressway in UP
Sultanpur (UP)/New Delhi (PTI): A Jaguar fighter jet, a C-295 transport carrier and other key military aircraft took off and landed at an emergency airstrip on the Purvanchal Expressway in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday as part of a two-day exercise, with the Indian Air Force (IAF) demonstrating its operational versatility, much to the delight of local residents.
The exercise took place on an emergency landing facility (ELF) -- a strategically-developed airstrip on the expressway -- in Sultanpur district.
"The operational versatility of the Indian Air Force was demonstrated through the operations by a diverse fleet of aircraft, including Jaguar, Mirage-2000, Su-30 MKI, C-295 and AN-32, alongside the Mi-17 V5 helicopter and the Garud Commando team," a senior IAF official said.
The operation has majorly boosted the IAF's capability to undertake unhindered operations even during the non-availability of standard runways, showcasing its operational resilience, the official said.
These strategically-developed airstrips on expressways substantially augment operational flexibility and serve as a critical force multiplier during emergencies, reinforcing national-security and disaster-response capabilities.
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The exercise generated excitement in the area as people got an opportunity to witness the fighter jets up close.
Earlier in the day, authorities tightened security and clamped traffic restrictions in view of the exercise.
They said an air traffic control system has been set up near the expressway to manage aircraft movement during the exercise.
The local administration earlier intensified the security arrangements around the airstrip and appealed to residents to maintain a safe distance and avoid heeding to rumours.
Local authorities said traffic on a 12-km stretch of the expressway has been diverted till May 1 as a precautionary measure and will resume from May 2.
The officials noted that similar drills were conducted earlier, including in June 2023 when Sukhoi and Mirage-2000 aircraft performed touch-and-go operations on the 3.2-km emergency airstrip.
The IAF official said the force, along with the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) and the local civil administration, validated its standard operating procedures for an emergency activation of the ELF in the shortest possible time frame.
The operations on Wednesday also demonstrated the professional flying skills of the IAF's air crew and the capability of its ground crew in activating such expressway airstrips at a short notice, the official added.
The collaborative framework between the IAF, the UPEIDA's civil-infrastructure management and the local civil administration "optimises the operational viability" of such highway airstrips.
The synergy between the three organisations in the ELF activation not only strengthens the overall strategic posture of the nation, but also enhances the humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HADR) capabilities in the region, the official added.
Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Central Air Command, Air Marshal B Manikantan, Uttar Pradesh minister O P Rajbhar, and UPEIDA CEO Deepak Kumar, among others, were present on the occasion.
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UP: 11 killed in multi-vehicle crash in Mirzapur
Mirzapur (UP) (PTI): Eleven people were killed in a multi-vehicle accident on Wednesday in Dramandganj area here, police said.
SP Aparna Rajat Kaushik said that information about the accident was received at around 8.30 pm.
The collision occurred on a route descending from Dramandganj valley towards the Lasoda area, where a vehicle lost control and crashed.
Preliminary investigation suggests that a truck coming from behind possibly rammed into another truck after suffering a brake failure.
A car got trapped between the two trucks during the collision. In the sequence of events, another vehicle was also hit and caught fire, she said.
Police teams and fire brigade personnel rushed to the spot immediately upon receiving the information, according to Kaushik.
With the assistance of local residents, rescue and relief operations were launched without delay, she said.
"So far, 11 deaths have been reported, and efforts are underway to establish the identities of the victims," the SP said.
Police personnel remain deployed at the site, and efforts are ongoing to restore traffic movement on the affected route.
According to initial information, one of the trucks involved bears a Bihar registration number, while the other is registered in Madhya Pradesh.
Among the cars involved, one is from Sonbhadra district and another from Mirzapur district, the SP said.
A detailed probe is on in the matter.
