Army troops march 18 km through rain and darkness to rescue pregnant woman

Amidst the ongoing relief operations in flood-affected areas of Punjab and Jammu, troops from the Western Command are undertaking life-saving evacuations. A 9-month pregnant woman in labour, who was stranded in Ramkot village, completely cut off by road, was airlifted to a hospital for urgent care.

Through rain and darkness, Army troops marched 18 km at night to coordinate the evacuation by a Dhruv helicopter in inclement weather, and the woman was safely evacuated to military hospital in Samba.

In another incident, a woman suffering from a cardiac ailment was successfully rescued by the flood relief team of Kharga Sappers from Sammoval village. Due to her medical condition, she was unable to move, making the rescue operation particularly challenging.

As access to her residence by boat was not possible due to the floods, the team proceeded on foot. Upon reaching the location, the team found the woman bedridden and immobile. The team carefully evacuated the bedridden woman on her cot, carrying her on their shoulders for approximately 300 meters to a boat.

The woman, along with her husband and daughter, was then transported in a Tarta high-mobility vehicle to her relatives’ residence in Amritsar for necessary medical care.

The Army has activated more than 50 columns in flood-affected areas of Punjab and Jammu, rescuing stranded people, restoring vital infrastructure, and delivering life-saving assistance. So far, over 5,500 civilians and 300 personnel of paramilitary forces have been rescued, more than 3,000 civilians have been provided medical aid, and over 27 tons of ration and essential supplies have been delivered to the affected communities.

In addition, seven fresh columns have been launched in the areas of Taran Taran, Ferozepur, Shahkot, Phillaur, Dhatewal, and in the areas of Sarala and Harchandpura due to rising water levels in the Ghaggar river. Troops are continuously supporting the civil administration and BSF in debris clearance and emergency construction tasks.

Engineer Regiments have reconstructed the Jaitpur bundh in the Mamun sector, repaired the main water supply line at Sidhra Bridge, and employed heavy machinery to restore damaged roads between Bikraman Helipad and Tawi View Point.

In Punjab, Army teams are containing breaches, strengthening bunds at vulnerable locations, transporting food and fodder to isolated villages, and clearing key water channels to prevent further flooding.

On Wednesday evening, the flood relief column from Golden Arrow Division, supported by an engineer task force, responded swiftly and worked through the night to contain a major breach in the Sutlej river embankment at Daudpur village near Ropar, preventing further damage and protecting the local community.

The Border Security Force (BSF) has also deployed its personnel, helicopters, and boats in flood relief operations. BSF organised a large-scale medical camp at Shamsekhurd village on the Gurdaspur border, extending vital healthcare to flood-affected residents. More than 300 persons, including children, were treated at the camp.