Indian Army Sets Up New Aviation Base in Kashmir

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, Oct 2: Indian Army sets up a new army aviation base at Manasbal, 35 kms from summer capital Srinagar.

An Indian army spokesman, Col A K Mathur, said that this state-of-art aviation base will house the multi-role Advanced Light Helicopter (DHRUV) indigenously manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bangalore.

During the inaugural ceremony today, a team of DHRUV helicopters led by the Commanding Officer of the squadron Col Rakesh Kapoor, gave a scintillating display of the capabilities of this versatile new generation Indian helicopter. This included formation flying, high gravity manoeuvres, slithering operations, under slung cargo carriage and high speed, small team insertion operations.

"This multifaceted helicopter will provide a new capability to the security forces and can also be effectively used for disaster relief, search and rescue, casualty evacuation etc", he said.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.