The Indian Air Force has deployed a large fleet of helicopters for transportation of polling staff, security personnel and election-related equipment for smooth conduct of assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir [Images].

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"An elaborate plan has been made at headquarters of Air officer commanding Jammu and Kashmir for the seven phases of elections starting from November 17 to December 24," IAF Nodal officer for elections Wing commander Hari Krishan said.

Giving details of the use of helicopters so far, Krishan said IAF deployed four helicopters between November 15 and 16 for Gurez constituency and moved 232 polling staff and security personnel to various polling stations in the constituency going to polls in the first phase on Monday.

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"IAF pilots have flown all the personnel to their respective polling stations in a truly professional manner despite unexpected bad weather and heavy snowfall in some areas," he said.

Earlier, IAF helicopters had carried out similar sorties to dispatch polling staff, security personnel and election material to the remote areas of Zanskar and Leh constituencies of Ladakh region as well, he said.

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IAF is also assisting in a detailed contingency plan for any kind of eventuality by deploying helicopters to Poonch, Bandipora, Leh and Kargil [Images] districts, he said.

In addition, IAF helicopters will also carry media persons to cover the election process in the four districts on Monday, he said.