The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Saturday arranged special sorties for Graduate Aptitude Test Exam (GATE) aspirants, locals residents and tourists stranded in the Kashmir Valley due to continued closure of Jammu-Srinagar highway.

"The IAF launched special sorties of C-17 Globemaster and came to the assistance of those stuck in Srinagar," Defence Ministry spokesman, Lt. Col. Devender Anand said here.

"The students were relieved by this humanitarian concern of the armed forces and conveyed their thanks for this timely effort which in the long run will shape up their career," he said.

Civilians and stranded tourists were also air-lifted from Srinagar airport to Jammu airport.

"All of them were very appreciative and thankful of the humanitarian activities of the armed forces," he added.

--IANS

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