AN-32 Kargil Courier Service begins, 35 passengers airlifted on day one

Kargil, Jan 18, 2023: The AN-32 Kargil Courier Service started today and 35 passengers were airlifted on the first day.

Officials informed that the total passengers include 16 passengers airlifted from Srinagar to Kargil and 15 passengers from Kargil to Srinagar in the Indian Air Force Aircraft. Four more passengers, including one patient, were lifted in Mi-17 Pawan Hans from Kargil to Srinagar.

The Courier Service operates in winter during the closure of Zojila Pass. The passengers airlifted today, included a sizeable number of senior citizens and one minor child. The tickets of the AN-32 Kargil Courier Service have been made available online.

Earlier, Commissioner/Secretary to Government Civil Aviation, Saugat Biswas reviewed the arrangements with Deputy Commissioner/CEO, LAHDC, Kargil, Santosh Sukhadeve and Chief Coordinator Aamir Ali and other senior officers, in order to make the full proof arrangements.

Srinagar Airport Director Kuldeep Singh also held a meeting, which was attended by Regional Director, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) Noushad Ahmed, senior officers from CISF, Air India Airport Services Ltd Sajad Ahmed, Air India Security Services Ltd SS Pathare, CRPF etc.

The Regional Director BCAS suggested that a Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) should be formulated so that the flight operation can work smoothly.

At Jammu, the Airport Director SK Garg also reviewed arrangements for AN-32 which is planned on January 19 between Jammu and Kargil. Station Manager Air India Security Vikas Patil also attended the meeting.

Deputy Commissioner Kargil expressed his gratitude to Group Capt. Rama Rao Air HQ, Group Capt. GS Tung Air-2, AOC J&K Udhampur, AOC Srinagar, Jammu and Leh and the IAF team at Kargil Airport for ensuring the 1st flight operation smoothly.

He also expressed gratitude to CEO/MD of Air India Ltd, CEO Air India Airport Services Ltd (AIASL) Ram Babu, General Manager AIASL Abdul Gaffar, CSO Air India Security Sanjay Kohli, for the facility extended to the passengers for operation of the Kargil Courier.

He also expressed hope that the subsequent flight operation will be hassle-free so that needy people can avail the services of the Courier. The passengers were facilitated at the Srinagar Airport by Mohammed Mujtaba Liaison Officer and Mohammed Suhail Wani, Assistant Coordinator.

At Kargil Airport, Mohammed Hassan, Liaison Officer and his ALOs coordinated for the same. The arrangements at Kargil were overseen by the Additional Deputy Commissioner Kargil, Ghulam Mohiuddin Wani, Assistant Commissioner Revenue Kargil, AG Zargar, Mohammed Hasan Nodal Officer/Reader to DC Kargil, Duty Officer Kargil Airport Phunchuk Angchuk. Besides the teams from Health Department, Fire & Emergency Services, Air Force, Police and Information Department were also present on the occasion.