India, Aug. 30 -- As the final trace of daylight rapidly faded over the high-altitude zone, Indian Army Aviation pilots carried out a daring casualty evacuation at 18,600 feet near the Nun Kun massif on Saturday.

The aviators operated at an altitude where the reduced atmospheric density severely impairs engine performance and robs rotor blades of their lift.

Thus, to carry out the mission, the rescue crew had to take drastic measures to prepare for the ascent.

The rescue team stripped the aircraft of all non-essential equipment to lighten the load to the absolute minimum weight required for flight.

The aircraft carried only a strictly limited fuel reserve, just enough to reach the extraction point and carry out the mission safely.

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