"IAF has launched its aircraft sorties to airlift 291 stranded passengers, from Jammu to Leh, on being requisitioned by the civil administration today," PRO Defence Col R K Palta said.
A giant IL-76 transport aircraft of the IAF was pressed into service, to ferry the stranded passengers, mostly hailing from Leh and Kargil Districts of J&K, he said.
The passengers, which included 50 women and children, were airlifted today by the special IAF aircraft, Col Palta said.