For annual Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, Indian Air Force would create an airbridge between Pithoragarh and Gunji, to airlift 1080 registered passengers to enable them to continue their coveted journey. The services will be extended for three months, starting from June 18, 2018.
 
According to Ministry of Defence statement, the requirement for the IAF to pitch in arose  when MEA approached the MoD for air effort between the places where the connectivity was envisaged to be poor. “The IAF is ever ready to take over any task assigned by the government and thereafter ensures that it is executed in a most professional manner” said Air Cmde Pendse of Western Air Command, who is overlooking the operations.
 
The command had been chosen by Air headquarter for this task, especially due to the experience its heptr pilots have in flying in mountainous terrain and landing at high altitudes. Gunji is at an altitude of 3100 mts above the sea level.
 
“We have deployed three MLH class heptrs at Pithoragarh which would be carrying around 60-80 passengers per day” said the task force commander positioned at Pithoragarh. The heptrs, from the Kirpan and Nubra Warrior units of the IAF, would be deployed for about three months catering for the return journey as well and would fly about 300 hrs in the duration of the operations.