On Thursday night (September 4, 2025), the Indian Army Aviation wing pulled off a high-stakes rescue, airlifting two South Korean nationals stranded at the freezing altitude of over 17,000 feet in Ladakh’s Kongmarula Pass. The couple, identified as Mr Hyun Woo Kim and his wife, were trapped in one of the most unforgiving terrains in the Himalayas when the Army stepped in for a life-saving mission.
Kongmarula Pass, with its snow-clad peaks and razor-sharp ridges, posed a formidable challenge for any evacuation attempt. At such extreme altitudes, helicopters face reduced engine performance, unpredictable winds, and near-zero margins for error. Making matters more perilous, the Army pilots had to attempt a landing at an unprepared icy helipad under the cover of night.
Indian Army’s daring Ladakh rescue: How was the operation executed?
At 8:05 pm, a distress request reached the Army. Within just 15 minutes, an Army Aviation squadron helicopter was airborne, equipped with Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) to navigate the pitch-dark and hostile environment. By 9:15 pm, in a display of sheer precision and skill, the helicopter touched down on the treacherous ridge and successfully evacuated the couple.
“On September 4, 2025, at around 2005 hours, Fire and Fury Corps received a critical message for a Casualty Evacuation (Casevac) mission involving two South Korean nationals stranded at Kongmarula Pass. At 2020 hours, the squadron swiftly sprang into action, launching their helicopters to execute the mission,” the Indian Army explained.
Once airlifted, Mr Kim and his wife were handed over to medical authorities for immediate assessment and care. Their ordeal highlighted not only the unpredictability of high-altitude travel but also the Indian Army’s unwavering readiness to respond in life-threatening situations.
What is the update on the South Korean mountaineers?
After their evacuation, the 2 mountaineers were taken to the SNM Hospital in Leh for further treatment. Indian Army’s Fire and Fury Corps shared that one of the mountaineers unfortunately lost his life.
This rescue stands as a powerful reminder of the Army Aviation wing’s unmatched skill in extreme conditions. From leveraging advanced night-flying capabilities to performing precision landings on dangerous icy terrain, the operation demonstrated India’s growing expertise in high-altitude search and rescue.