Russian Paraglider Rescued After Getting Trapped in 145-Metre-High Power Lines in Himachal

New Delhi, 10 November, 2026 A potentially fatal paragliding incident in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district ended safely after a Russian pilot became trapped in high-tension electricity wires during a flight. The incident triggered an extensive rescue operation involving the local administration, police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), with teams working to bring the stranded pilot down safely. Russian paragliding pilot Alexey had taken off alone from Bir Billing in Kangra district. However, changing wind conditions carried him towards the Mehar village area along the Pathankot-Mandi National Highway. Near Tandu, his paraglider became entangled in high-tension power lines located approximately 145 metres above the ground, leaving him stranded at a dangerous height. Following the alert, rescue teams rushed to the location and immediately arranged for the power supply to be switched off to prevent any electrical hazard. A challenging operation was then launched using a tall crane and trolley. Nets and tarpaulins were also placed on the ground as safety measures. After nearly two and a half hours of sustained efforts, the teams successfully brought Alexey down to safety. The timely response and coordinated efforts of the rescue personnel helped avert a potentially tragic outcome. The Russian pilot was safely rescued after being stranded in the high-voltage wires, bringing the challenging operation to a successful conclusion.