The Indian Air Force (IAF) executed a vital emergency evacuation mission, airlifting 132 National Cadet Corps (NCC) members who were stranded in Imphal, Manipur.
The cadets had been stuck in the state capital since May 20 following the completion of an Air Wing NCC camp. With ground transportation completely paralyzed, the state government requested military intervention to ensure the students’ safe return.
Why Ground Evacuation Failed
The return journey by road became impossible due to escalating local tensions, which severely threatened civilian travel:
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The Triggers: Intense blockades and counter-blockades launched by Kuki and Naga groups over missing people.
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The Impact: Major highways and transport routes connecting Manipur to neighboring states were entirely cut off, leaving the airlift as the only viable and secure alternative.
Breakdown of the Rescue Mission
To pull off the swift evacuation, the IAF mobilized its tactical transport fleet to divide and transport the large group of students back to their home bases in Assam.
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Aircraft Deployed: 3 Antonov AN-32 transport aircraft.
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Total Evacuated: 132 Air Wing cadets.
| Destination | Cadets Transported | Home Base |
| Guwahati | 72 Cadets | Assam |
| Jorhat | 60 Cadets | Assam |
Official Statement: The seamless coordination between the state government and the military ensured that all 132 cadets were safely evacuated and returned to their destinations without any further delay or security compromise.
