The Indian Air Force (IAF) has launched a rescue operation in Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu and evacuated people who were trapped in deadly floods.
Meanwhile, the IAF rescued foreign nationals as well, apart from Sri Lankan civilians. Among citizens of Germany, Slovenia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, the IAF also rescued a Pakistani citizen. These foreign citizens were rescued by the IAF’s MI-17 helicopter.
According to the Air Force, several tourists were trapped in Sri Lanka’s Kotmale after a massive landslide occurred. They were trapped in a restricted zone. The IAF helicopter launched a hybrid mission to evacuate people from the area.
The Indian Air Force posted on X, ” The Indian Air Force, in close coordination with Sri Lankan authorities, carried out major rescue and evacuation operations in the landslide-affected Kotmale region, which remains completely cut off by road. Across the day’s missions, IAF helicopters evacuated a total of 45 stranded passengers, including 6 critical casualties and 4 infants, and brought them safely to Colombo. These included 12 Indian nationals and over 30 foreign nationals from countries such as Germany, South Africa, Slovenia, the UK, Poland, Belarus, Iran, Australia, Pakistan and Bangladesh, along with Sri Lankan citizens.”
#CycloneDitwah | Indian Air Force Humanitarian Assistance
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) November 30, 2025
The Indian Air Force, in close coordination with Sri Lankan authorities, carried out major rescue and evacuation operations in the landslide-affected Kotmale region, which remains completely cut off by road.
Across the… pic.twitter.com/nFTmUr4j0F
India has launched ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’ to aid Sri Lanka following the devastation triggered by Cyclone Ditwah.
In a post on X, EAM S Jaishankar said, “Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, another Indian Air Force aircraft C130J carrying approx 10 tons of disaster response supplies, BHISHM Cubes and a medical team for on-site training and support has landed in Colombo.”
