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Two stranded Indian-origin US tourists rescued from Churdhar Valley in Himachal Pradesh

Coordinated efforts between Indian ministries and the US embassy were crucial for the successful evacuation.

IAF Cheetah helicopters were called in for the airlifting operation / X/@IAF_MCC

Two Indian-origin US tourists were rescued by army choppers on May.11 after being stranded in the Churdhar Valley region of Himachal Pradesh's Sirmaur district, officials said.

Two US citizens, Richa Abhay Sonawane and Sonia Ratan, were rescued from Teesri on the Nohradhar-Churdhar trek route with assistance from two Army choppers and were later admitted in a Chandigarh hospital, Sirmaur Deputy Commissioner Sumit Khimta told agencies.

Coordination between India's Home Affairs, External Affairs and Defence ministries, along with the US embassy were needed for the rescue efforts.

"Based on the request of the civil admin to evacuate an American national, who had suffered a spinal injury during trekking, IAF launched a Cheetah helicopter for the casualty evacuation. IAF airlifted the woman trekker successfully from the treacherous terrain of Teesri village of Himachal Pradesh and brought her for further medical attention to Chandigarh," the Indian Force wrote on X after rescuing one of the women.

Both the Indian-born American women are now out of danger, Khimta added.

Ramlal, a local resident of the region, said people must avoid trekking to the Churdhar peak under current circumstances as the weather remains really hostile.

The mountaineering community generally classifies the 12,000-feet Churdhar trek as moderate-to-difficult.

However, the first hour of the trek is said to be quite challenging, offering steep, rocky slopes.

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