In a tragic incident in Jammu and Kashmir, a special police officer (SPO) lost his life in Ramban district after being struck by a boulder dislodged by a landslide. The incident highlights the dangers posed by landslides in the region, especially during periods of heavy rainfall.

Separately, in a display of swift humanitarian action, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Udhampur district administration collaborated to airlift two patients in critical condition from the remote Tehsil Latti-Marothi area. The area had been cut off due to incessant rains and multiple landslides, making road transport impossible.

The two patients, Shiv Lal, a resident of Sira, and Diwan Chand, a resident of Latti, were in urgent need of medical intervention. Shiv Lal was suffering from a critical condition, and Diwan Chand also required immediate medical attention. Recognizing the urgency and the disrupted road connectivity, District Magistrate Udhampur Saloni Rai coordinated with the IAF to evacuate the patients under the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) framework.

The IAF swiftly responded to the request and successfully airlifted the two patients. One patient was transported to Military Hospital Udhampur, while the other was admitted to Government Medical College (GMC) Udhampur for specialized treatment. This coordinated effort underscores the commitment of the Udhampur district administration to ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens, particularly in times of crisis. The IAF's prompt response and proficient execution of the rescue operation highlight its crucial role in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief endeavors.

The successful medical evacuation is a testament to the effective coordination between the district administration and the Air Force. It also highlights the importance of HADR operations in regions prone to natural disasters like landslides and floods. The district administration has reaffirmed its dedication to providing all possible assistance, including emergency medical support, to people stranded in remote and inaccessible areas due to the recent heavy rains and landslides.

Unfortunately, landslides in the region have resulted in fatalities in recent weeks. Earlier in August 2025, a senior revenue officer, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Rajinder Singh Rana, and his son were killed in a landslide in Reasi after a large boulder struck their vehicle. The officer's wife and two others sustained serious injuries. In a separate incident, two army men were killed after a boulder fell on their vehicle in eastern Ladakh. Also in early September 2025, at least four people died and several others were injured after landslides hit the Ratle Power Project site in Kishtwar. Among the deceased were a police constable and a JCB driver.

These incidents highlight the vulnerability of the region to landslides, especially during the monsoon season. Experts have called for increased measures to mitigate the risk of landslides, including improved early warning systems, better land use planning, and construction of protective infrastructure.