Israeli mountaineer rescued in Ladakh

An Israeli mountaineer, who had fallen off a summit in the higher reaches of Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, was today rescued by Air Force amid "exceptional" piloting skills, officials said.
"One Israeli mountaineer, lying unconscious after falling off the summit of Stok Kangri, was evacuated this morning by Siachen Pioneers unit based in Leh," Defence Spokesman, Col S D Goswami said.
He said it was a daring rescue during which the helicopter skidded when it made a partial contact with the snow owing to a steep gradient.
"The operation called for an exceptional piloting skills, judgment and daring. Degree of difficulty was further compounded by high altitude, no reserve of power and over snowbound terrain," the spokesman said.

He said the mountaineer was moved to Sonam Norbu hospital in Leh where he is being treated.
The identity of the mountaineer was not immediately known, he said.