In A First, An Air Ambulance For Troops Engaged In Anti-Naxal Operations To Be Stationed In Ranchi

A dedicated round-the-clock air ambulance service will soon be deployed for Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) with a team of doctors, nursing staff and para-medics to man the service, PTI has reported.

The service will utilise a Mi-17 helicopter of the Border Security Force (BSF) and will be stationed in Ranchi in Jharkhand as per the Home Ministry order. The service will be available to troops serving in left wing extremism (LWE) areas as well as for the ones serving in high altitude border posts.

Over a lakh troops are deployed in such LWE affected areas where medical emergency services are hindered due to lack of connectivity and sparse medical services and will help in treatment during the ‘golden hour’ for injured personnel. However, the service will also be made available for evacuation and assistance to CAPF troops in far flung border areas.

The CAPFs include the Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Sashastra Seema Bal and the National Disaster Response Force.