The flying was heavy as all the ballot boxes were being transported by helicopters .We were operating a single Mi8 detachment at Imphal . Night parking was at the Manipur University Helipad. We started our day at 0700h and had been flying for 7hours. 1/n

It was 5 pm. Exhausted after a heavy days flying I was ready to retire to our rooms. As I was shutting down the helicopter , I saw a BSF Jeep pull alongside the Helipad with a commandant rank officer jump out. The urgency in his moves told me something was not right . 2/n

As the helicopter was being shutdown by the flight engineer , I asked the co pilot to take controls and walked out towards the BSF officer .The helicopter blades were still turning. The officer told me that a BSF party has been ambushed near likhai and they have 7 injured 3/n

We checked the fuel onbaord and immediately within 5 minutes got airborne towards likhai. We were told that the casualties have been brought to a football ground near the road going South of Churachandpur. I was airborne meanwhile I heard a flurry of radio calls of two other 4/n

Helicopters airborne for the area .They were near shillong and would take 40 minutes more than me. I told them that I am on the way and they turned back . From knowledge of the terrain I knew that a BSF unit wa stationed in the area with a Helipad. I headed for that helipad 5/n