Army Helicopters Aid Margalla Hills Firefighting

News Desk 

Islamabad: Two helicopters from the Pakistan Army Aviation joined the firefighting efforts at four sites in the Margalla Hills National Park on Monday. 

This operation, successfully coordinated by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), effectively extinguished the fires.

An NDMA spokesperson reported that the authority provided helicopters to control the fires at four different locations within the park. The 6th Aviation Squadron and the Pakistan Army assisted in the operation, facing challenges due to limited ground connectivity.

The spokesperson noted that the fires were controlled at three locations, with helicopter operations continuing until dark.

At the fourth site on the hilltop, 70 percent of the fire was extinguished, with Capital Development Authority (CDA) staff on site to manage the remaining flames.

According to the Ministry of Climate Change, the Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Climate Change, Romina Khurshid Alam, contacted NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik to request helicopters for firefighting

In her initial statement, Romina Khurshid Alam announced that the helicopters would reach the affected area within ten minutes. The CDA and NDMA worked together to douse the flames, successfully extinguishing the first fire at MF-17 and the second at MF-16 Cheran Di Gali.

She also advised tourists to avoid hiking during the heatwave season. The 6th Aviation Squadron sent the first helicopter, which doused the fire with water from Rawal Dam, while the Pakistan Army sent the second helicopter, which dumped water from Khanpur Dam.

“I am very grateful to the Pakistan Army for responding so quickly. Thank you, Chairman NDMA, and Pakistan Army,” said Romina Khurshid Alam. The PM’s aide closely monitored the situation throughout the operation.