The Indian Air Force (IAF) dropped at least 12,000 litres of water to combat forest fires in the Lohit Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, operating at nearly 9,500 feet in the rarefied Himalayan air.
The IAF deployed Mi-17V5 helicopters for the operation, which involved challenging conditions at high altitude. In a post shared on X on Thursday (January 29, 2026), IAF wrote, “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.”
This comes amid a series of rapid response operations by the IAF. Earlier, in a separate event, the force 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, Defence officials said on Wednesday (January 28).
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.… pic.twitter.com/5SXBm7M5he
