The Indian Army Monday conducted at Shimla's Annandale ground a rescue and relief exercise, named "Mountain Rescue", for civil authorities in case of natural disaster.

 

 The aim of the exercise was to practise evacuation of civilian population from disaster-affected areas in the remote mountains of Himachal Pradesh, an official statement said.

 

 Army Aviation Corps helicopters practised casualty evacuation drills along with the Army Special Forces and regular troops of the Jutogh Battalion, it said.

 

 Civil administration, fire service department and National Disaster Management Authority personnel also participated.

 

 The exercise would continue Tuesday as well.

 

 The recent natural disasters in Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir have amplified the magnitude of such crises.

 

 The Annandale ground has been in the army's possession since 1941, when World War II was raging.