Five critically ill patients, including three personnel of the Indian Army, have been airlifted from Ladakh to Chandigarh for advanced medical care, IAF said on Monday.
In a post on X, the Western Air Command (WAC) of Indian Air Force also said 143 lives have been saved through casualty evacuation operations in the Ladakh sector alone during 2026.
The WAC shared details about the critical medical evacuation mission undertaken from Ladakh, despite challenging high-altitude terrain and inclement weather conditions.
“The Indian Air Force successfully undertook a critical Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) mission from Ladakh, airlifting five Dangerous Ill Listed (DIL) patients for advanced medical care at Chandigarh. The patients comprised three Indian Army personnel with one dependent and one Ladakhi civilian,” it posted.
The IAF also shared some images of the medical evacuation mission. “Despite the challenging high-altitude terrain and inclement climatic conditions, IAF C-17 and AN-32 aircraft ensured their swift, safe and timely evacuation.
The mission underscores the IAF’s unwavering commitment to preserving life and providing hope in emergencies. #IndianAirForce – Every Life Matters, Every Call Answered #143 lives have been saved through CASEVAC operations in the Ladakh Sector alone during 2026,” it added. A Dangerously Ill List (DIL) patient — a medical classification — refers to individuals whose condition is critical, unstable, and carries a high probability of imminent deterioration or death, according to the National Institutes of Health website.