Overview

• Army Aviation helicopters evacuated Hyun Woo Kim and his wife from Kongmaru La Pass after a distress call at 8:05 pm on September 4.
• The squadron launched by 8:20 pm and executed a precision night landing at approximately 9:15 pm despite snow-covered ridgelines and thin air.
• Both mountaineers were flown to Sonam Norboo Memorial Hospital in Leh, where Kim died during treatment and his wife remains critically ill.
• The operation required Night Vision Goggles for a touchdown on an unprepared site, highlighting rapid mobilisation and skilled piloting under hazardous conditions.
• Fire & Fury Corps released video of the evacuation and expressed condolences to the deceased climber’s family, citing the mission as humanitarian assistance.