NE DEFENCE BUREAU
NEW DELHI/COLOMBO, DEC 1
In a swift and large-scale humanitarian operation, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully evacuated 323 Indian nationals stranded in landslide-hit regions of Sri Lanka, and plans to bring home at least 100 more in the coming hours. The mission, part of Operation Sagar Bandhu triggered in the wake of disaster caused by Cyclone Ditwah, saw IAF helicopters and transport aircraft C-130 and IL-76 deployed for rescue and relief across the island nation.
#CycloneDitwah | Ongoing Ops
Even as relief efforts continue in #SriLanka, the Indian Air Force has simultaneously pressed into domestic support operations.
An IAF C-17 has airlifted NDRF teams and equipment from Pune and Vadodara to Chennai, enabling rapid deployment of over… pic.twitter.com/JfpzJzA6gn
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) November 30, 2025
A hybrid rescue mission in the landslide-affected Kotmale region witnessed dramatic efforts when a specially trained commando was winched down from a helicopter to guide stranded civilians through rugged terrain to a helipad. From there, 24 people — including Indian nationals, foreign tourists and Sri Lankan citizens — were flown to safety in Colombo. Three critical casualties were airlifted immediately for urgent medical care.
- “Every stranded Indian will reach home at the earliest,” says High Commission; Mi-17s, C-130, IL-76 active under Operation Sagar Bandhu
- Hybrid Helicopter Rescue at Kotmale; 45 Evacuated in One Day, Critical Casualties Airlifted to Colombo
- IAF-Army Forces Massed for Ground Relief; More Flights and Evacuations in Pipeline
IAF relief operations have also included airlifting 57 personnel of the Sri Lanka Army into affected areas to assist local rescue and clearance efforts. Meanwhile, transport aircraft delivered over 21–27 tonnes of relief material, including food, tents, blankets and medical supplies, underlining the massive humanitarian scale of the operation.
The Indian High Commission in Colombo has assured that evacuation of all stranded Indian nationals is underway. “Every stranded Indian will reach home at the earliest”, the Commission said in a statement.
Ground Realities & Ongoing Relief
- The evacuation effort includes both air-rescues and coordinated ground support by NDRF and local authorities in Sri Lanka.
- Additional flights are being readied from IAF bases at Hindan and Trivandrum to ensure swift return of Indians from Colombo.
- IAF-delivered relief stores and rescue teams complement ongoing efforts of Sri Lankan disaster response agencies to reach remote, landslide-hit zones.
What Officials Say
An official from the IAF-Media Coordination Centre said:
“IAF helicopters undertook a hybrid rescue mission … From a restricted zone in Kotmale, 24 persons including Indians, foreign nationals and Sri Lankans were evacuated to Colombo.”
The Indian High Commission in Colombo added:
Together in times of need.
As part of India’s ongoing #OperationSagarBandhu, the Mi-17 helicopters of @IAF_MCC evacuated stranded people in Sri Lanka, including citizens from Germany, South Africa, Slovenia and United Kingdom.
🇮🇳 🤝 🇱🇰 🇩🇪 🇿🇦 🇸🇮 🇬🇧. https://t.co/z9OZ5p7691
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) November 30, 2025
“A family of four stranded on a rooftop was rescued by a Chetak helicopter from INS Vikrant on 29 November. Operation Sagar Bandhu continues as India stands with the people of Sri Lanka.”)
As relief operations intensify, IAF officials say multiple evacuation sorties and ground-relief actions remain in progress. The world watches as India’s air and humanitarian wings work to bring home citizens and lend aid to a neighbour in crisis.
