Shimla, May 27 -- Indian Air Force (IAF) choppers were deployed on Tuesday to contain a forest fire that broke out near Tharugarh and Manaun villages in Jangesu gram panchayat under Kasauli sub-division of Solan district, officials said.

Fanned by string winds and dry weather conditions, the fire spread quickly through large stretches of forest land, prompting authorities to intensify firefighting efforts.

IAF Mi-17 helicopters were pressed into service for aerial water-dropping operations. "The choppers have been cleared to carry out night operations using night vision equipment, an official added.

Initially, the administration deployed two fire tenders from the Parwanoo fire brigade, one from the Kasauli Cantonment Board, and three f...