IAF aircraft rushes aid to quake-hit Nepal

Indian Air Force's C-130 J Super Hercules aircraft on Saturday took off from the Hindon airbase in New Delhi carrying National Disaster Relief Force personnel and relief material to Nepal in the wake of the devastating earthquake that has hit the Himalayan country.

Defence sources said a C-17 Globemaster is being prepared for take off and will be carrying about 40-member strong Rapid Reaction Aero Medical Team and doctors besides relief material to the country after India assured Nepal of all help.

A 1L-76 transport aircraft will also take off soon with more NDRF personnel on board.

After dropping the NDRF team, C-130 J will perform aerial recce to check road communication to Pokhara and return to Hindon, defence ministry spokesperson Sitanshu Kar tweeted.

The defence ministry has already put Indian Army, BRO and IAF assets on standby for any task in view of the earthquake.