A tense situation has unfolded as eight individuals, including six schoolchildren, find themselves stranded in a cable car after two of its wires snapped in the early hours of a Tuesday morning. A team of the Pakistan Army’s Special Services Group (SSG) is already in the Allai tehsil of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Battagram in helicopters, rescuing the passengers.

A Race Against Time

Assistant Commissioner Jawad Hussain shared the latest update revealing that the military’s rapid response force is already on the scene. As a ray of hope pierces through the challenging circumstances, two helicopters from the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Air Force have descended upon the site, ready for a daring rescue operation.

The Sling Operation on Helicopters

As we visualize the dramatic rescue unfolding, a rescuer suspended by a sling comes into view. The rescuer bravely maneuvers through the air, approaching the site and the stranded individuals. Tied together or connected by another sling, the rescuer hoists those in need of saving. All the while, the helicopter pilot and rescuer navigate the intricate dance, mindful of the powerful downdraft created by the chopper’s propellers.

Latest scenes of the rescue operation #Battagram pic.twitter.com/RAgrYRmxmC

— Mughees Ali (@mugheesali81) August 22, 2023

پہاڑوں کے درمیان پہاڑ جیسا ریسکیو آپریشن

پاک فوج کے ایس ایس جی کمانڈوز تاریخ کا پیچیدہ ترین ریسکیو آپریشن کرنے میں مصروف#Battagram pic.twitter.com/XN5wrTl6on

— Pakistan Tourism (@PakistanJannatt) August 22, 2023

Weathering the Storm

Shariq Riaz Khattak, a rescue official, highlights the complexity of the mission. Gusty winds complicate matters, and the very movement of the helicopters’ rotor blades carries the risk of destabilizing the already precarious lift. As the sun sets at 6:48 pm in Battagram, time is of the essence.

Rescue operation by Army Aviation with support of SSG commandos is underway. #Battagram pic.twitter.com/E3WOEg948r

— Fidato (@tequieremos) August 22, 2023

Cable Car Rescue in Battagram is on the way using a PAF AW 139 helicopter. Hoping for the best.#Chairlift #Battagram #Pakistan #batagram pic.twitter.com/Vjg5toI87e

— Sohail Ahmed (@sohailahmedsa) August 22, 2023

Helicopters on the Mission

According to our research, these two remarkable helicopters are being used by Pakistan Army and Pak Air Force:

1. AW-139 CSAR Helicopter from Pakistan Air Force: This versatile machine has been showcased on the US market and even for the U.S. Air Force’s Common Vertical Lift Support Program. Its advanced features include a high-definition forward-looking infrared (FLIR) system, self-protection capabilities, robust landing gear, and low thermal and acoustic signatures. Additionally, the helicopter boasts options like external store systems, armored seats, self-sealing fuel tanks, and a full ice protection system for all-weather operations.

2. Mil Mi-17 Pakistan Army: Equipped with state-of-the-art engines, rotors, and transmissions derived from the Mi-14, it is designed to handle heavier loads. It even has optional engines for challenging conditions with FADEC control for high-altitude mountain deployments.

In the face of adversity, these helicopters and their brave crews exemplify the power of human determination and technological innovation. As the country holds its collective breath, we await a successful rescue mission that will undoubtedly serve as a testament to human compassion and resourcefulness.