Indian Air Force Fights Forest Fire In Arunachal Pradesh, Drops 12,000 Litres Water From 9,500 Feet
IAF drops 12,000 litres to douse Arunachal forest fire (Image courtesy: X/ @IAF_MCC)
The Indian Air Force (IAF), on Thursday (January 29, 2026), deployed its helicopters to drop 12,000 litres of water from 9,500 feet altitude to douse a raging forest fire in Lohit Valley of Arunachal Pradesh.
The daring operation by the IAF’s Mi-17V5 helicopters were carried out in the rarefied Himalayan heights, showcasing exception courage, precision, and commitment to protecting lives and the fragile Arunachal Pradesh’s flora and fauna.
“Battling forest fires at nearly 9,500 feet in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lohit Valley. #IAF Mi-17V5 helicopters dropped 12,000 litres of water in the rarefied Himalayan air, showcasing exceptional courage, precision and a commitment towards protecting lives and fragile ecosystems,” the IAF said in a tweet on the microblogging site X on Thursday (January 29) night.
The operations came amidst a series of rapid response by the IAF in recent times in aid of the civil authorities during both manmade and natural crisis, accidents, and disasters.
Only on January 28, in a separate response to a civil administration’s call, the IAF swiftly deployed a team of Air Traffic Control (ATC) personnel along with essential technical equipment from Air Force Station Lohegaon to Baramati Airport in Maharashtra on an urgent request from the state government.
The quick IAF action in Maharashtra came after a Bombardier Learjet 45 aircraft, carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, crashed in the town’s air strip, killing all personnel on board the private jet including the political leader.
