New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country applauds the heroic efforts of all those involved in the over 40-hour-long rescue operation following the ropeway mishap in Jharkhand last Sunday.

Three persons died while several others were injured after stranded cable cars hung midair near the Trikut Hills in Deoghar.

The accident took place after the cable cars collided on Sunday, leading to a massive rescue operation that lasted till Tuesday.

“For three days, round the clock, you completed a difficult rescue operation and saved the lives of many people of the country," Modi said during a virtual interaction on Wednesday with the personnel of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) involved in the rescue mission.

The Prime Minister on Wednesday said Deoghar rescue operation was a reflection of sensitivity, resourcefulness and courage, and 'Sabka Prayas' played a major role in this operation.

"The country is proud that we have a skilled force in the form of our armed forces, Air Force, ITBP, NDRF and police personnel, that has capability to protect citizen in the time of distress," he said.

"For three days, round the clock, you completed a difficult rescue operation and saved the lives of many countrymen. I also consider it to be the grace of Baba Vaidyanath ji," he said.

Noting the recognition and image that NDRF has carved for itself through their courage and hard work, Modi said that the courage of NDRF is recognised by the entire country.

NDRF Inspector Om Prakash Goswami narrated the details of operations to the Prime Minister while IAF Group Captain Y.K. Kandalkar detailed the Air Force operation during the crisis.

The Prime Minister appreciated the skills of the pilots navigating the helicopter so near the wires while Sergeant Pankaj Kumar Rana of the IAF explained the role of Garud commandos in rescuing the passengers including women and children in adverse conditions.

Modi praised the extraordinary courage of the Air Force personnel.

ITBP Sub-Inspector Anant Pandey explained the role of his forces in the operation and how they raised the morale of the stranded passengers.

The Prime Minister appreciated the patience of the entire team and said success is assured when challenges are faced with determination and patience.

The Deoghar Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantari explained to Modi about the details of local coordination of the operation and how morale of the passengers was maintained till the arrival of the Air Force.

He also provided the details of multi-agency coordination and channels of communication and also thanked Modi for the timely help.

Brigadier Ashwini Nayyar narrated the role of Army in the operation and briefed the PM about the rescue from cable cars at lower level upon which Modi praised the coordination, speed and planning of the team work.

The Prime Minister expressed condolences for the families of the dead and prayed for the recovery of the injured.

Modi concluded by requesting all those involved in the operation to document the details and learning meticulously for future use.