Vaishno Devi pilgrimage resumed from Himkoti track Thursday afternoon after Indian Air Force choppers doused the forest fires in the Trikuta Hills, the abode of cave shrine in Reasi district of Jammu.
On the request of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), IAF provided two Military Light Helicopters (MLH) to douse the forest fire.
“Indian Air Force has pressed into service its helicopters using ‘Bambi Buckets’ to contain the forest fire. The operations started this morning wherein two helicopters one each of the Daring Dragons and Snow Leopards units of the Western Air Command were launched,” sources said.
“The pilgrimage to the shrine was resumed in the afternoon, after the fire was controlled,” confirmed Anshul Garg, addition chief executive officer of the Shrine Board.
Earlier, massive fire broke out near forest of Adh Kuwari late evening of Tuesday, which gradually spread to the other stretches, including old helipad area at Shanji Shat, forcing authorities to close battery car track (Himkoti) as a precautionary measure. However, the pilgrimage continued from old traditional track via Hathi Mattha.
Fire and Emergency Services personnel, along with the police, officials of the shrine board and locals had tried hard to douse the flames but due to strong winds, the fire expanded to several other areas.