Mid-Air Glitch Leaves Two Paragliders Stranded, Airlifted Safely by IAF in Himachal

Two paragliders were rescued in a swift and coordinated operation involving the Indian Air Force (IAF) and local authorities after they were left stranded following a mid-air emergency in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district on Sunday.

The incident occurred when the duo took off from the popular paragliding site of Bir Billing but encountered difficulty while airborne. They eventually crash-landed in the remote Guran Dhar area of the Dhauladhar mountain ranges , a rugged and inaccessible terrain with no road connectivity.

The paragliders were identified as Arun Singh from Rajasthan and Ranjan Gupta from Gujarat . According to officials, Arun Singh sustained serious injuries , while Ranjan Gupta became stranded in a tree after the crash landing.

Kangra Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa said that the difficult terrain made ground rescue operations highly challenging and time-consuming. “Given the absence of road connectivity and the risk involved, the Air Force was immediately requested for assistance,” he said.

An IAF helicopter was deployed , enabling a timely and effective evacuation of both individuals from the mountainous location. The rescue was executed through close coordination between the district administration, police, local rescue teams, and the Air Force , officials added.

Following the operation, both paragliders were shifted to Vivekananda Hospital in Palampur , where they are currently undergoing treatment.

The incident once again highlights the risks associated with adventure sports in high-altitude zones, especially in unpredictable weather and difficult terrain conditions.