The Knights Helicopter Unit of the Indian Air Force has returned to Thiruvananthapuram after completing Operation Sagar Bandhu in Sri Lanka.  The 109 Helicopter Unit of the Southern Air Command, popularly known as the Knights, was deployed to Sri Lanka to carry out rescue operations in areas severely affected by the recent cyclone. Using its Mi-17 V5 helicopters, the unit conducted missions in flood-hit and landslide-prone regions, airlifting civilians stranded in isolated pockets.

In addition to rescue tasks, the unit transported essential relief supplies, including food, water, and medicines, to affected communities. According to defence sources in Thiruvananthapuram, the helicopters undertook nearly 100 missions over a period of ten days, significantly contributing to the humanitarian relief efforts. Smithy M Palluruthy.