35 army persons killed in different ops this year

New Delhi: As many as 35 army personnel have been killed in different operations in various parts of the country this year till now.

"During the current year, 30 armed forces personnel were killed in Jammu and Kashmir, four in Sikkim and one in Assam," Defence Minister A K Antony told the Lok Sabha on Monday.

Armed forces have been deployed for counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations, border guarding duties in these states.

He said the next of kin of the deceased have been provided with compensation as per different schemes of the government in this regard.

In reply to another query, the minister said the Government has sanctioned hiring of 648 chartered flights for airlifting armed forces personnel from areas cut-off from rest of the country due to natural or man-made calamities.

These include 260 flights on Delhi-Leh-Delhi route, 208 for Delhi-Srinagar route and 104 for airlifting troops from Thoise to Delhi.