Indian Military

[PIB] To deal with the aftermath of the recent flooding due to heavy rains in Sri Lanka, the Government of India is sending urgent relief assistance for the displaced and affected persons due to this natural calamity.

The relief assistance worth US$ one million is being sent in two planeloads and consists of dry rations (sugar, dal, salt and some condiments), Meals Ready to Eat, blankets, mattresses, water purification kits and malted food. The IAF is undertaking two IL-76 flights to airlift aid for flood affected areas in Central, Eastern and Northern Sri Lanka. The first aircraft left New Delhi for Colombo today and the second flight is scheduled for Monday January 17, 2011.

The government of India expresses its solidarity with the Government of Sri Lanka at this difficult moment and stands ready to assist the Government and the people of Sri Lanka to deal with this humanitarian challenge.

JAMMU: Heavy rains hampered the operations of security forces against armed militants in an ongoing gunfight in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on Monday, a day after a soldier and two terrorists were killed.

The shootout in Thanna Mandi area, about 180 km north of Jammu, began on Saturday when an Army team led by Major S K Mahapatra traced a group of militants in the forested area. In the ensuing gunfight, Mahapatra was injured and a soldier was killed on Sunday.

"Today (Monday) is the third day of the encounter. Rains started in the morning and hampered operations," a senior Army official said.

"But we are trying to keep our cordon intact to keep militants and their movements in check," the official said.

Police suspect that the militants belong to Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The operations are taking place close to the area where terrorists fired at a convoy of the army and a civilian bus on Wednesday.

Two passengers were killed and 17 injured in the attack.