IAF Rescues 12 Civilians Stranded by Chhattisgarh Floodwaters
Indian Air Force Garud commandos perform a daring rescue of 12 people, including women and children, stranded by rising Indravati River floodwaters.
In a high-stakes rescue mission, the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully evacuated 12 civilians who were trapped by rapidly rising floodwaters in Chhattisgarh. The operation, carried out near Dongaghat village, saw brave personnel battling time and treacherous conditions to save lives from the fury of the Indravati River.
Daring Rescue on Fragile Rooftops
The emergency unfolded after reports surfaced that a group of 10 to 12 people were stranded in makeshift kutcha huts on the north bank of the Indravati River. As the river swelled, the residents were forced to take shelter on the rooftops of these fragile structures to escape the gushing water.
A specialized crew from the IAF’s Central Air Command was immediately dispatched to the location. Upon arrival, the team discovered a terrifying scene: the civilians were huddled on rooftops that were on the verge of collapsing under the immense pressure of the floodwaters. With the risk of structural failure imminent, the IAF had to act with extreme precision and speed.
Garud Commandos Lead the Mission
To ensure the safety of the victims, the IAF deployed a Garud commando to lead the extraction. The commando was lowered from a hovering helicopter onto the unstable rooftop to provide direct assistance to the trapped individuals. Using a winching system, the crew managed to lift all 12 civilians—including women and children—to safety aboard the aircraft.
IAF Operations: From Rescue to Global Exercises
While the IAF continues to perform critical humanitarian duties across the country, the force is also simultaneously engaged in large-scale international military training. Following the successful rescue in Chhattisgarh, the IAF has also commenced the operational phase of Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 at the Air Force Station in Jodhpur.
Running from September 26 to October 12, 2026, this multilateral air exercise is centered around the theme “Power in Partnership.” The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and expertise among partner air forces through advanced joint training missions.
Global Participation in Tarang Shakti 2026
The scale of the exercise is immense, involving seven Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs):
- Australia
- United States of America
- United Arab Emirates
- France
- Germany
- Sri Lanka
- Bangladesh
The skies over Jodhpur are seeing a massive display of aerial power, with advanced aircraft such as the F-35 Lightning II, Rafale, F-16, A400M, MRTT, C-130, C-130J, and KC-30A participating in a diverse range of combat, airlift, and air-to-air refueling missions.