The Special Forces commandos had used four MI-17 IV helicopters in the well-coordinated surgical strikes launched against terror havens on the other side of the LoC in the intervening night between Wednesday and Thursday. “Four MI-17 version IV were used to ferry about 60 Special Forces fighters for the precision strikes. Two choppers landed not very far from the targets-makeshift structures housing militants waiting to cross over to India at the slightest opportunity-dropping about 30 special forces commandos who went about their task in a blitz. Many of the targets were in deep sleep when the attack happened.” a source familiar with the developments said on condition of not being identified.
“On the other hand, another two choppers dropped the specialized troops on the Indian side of the Loc and who proceeded silently towards their targets on foot,” the source said.
The Russian-made MI-17 IV variant is a medium lift military transport helicopter that had been weaponised with 57 mm rocket pods for attack capability.
