Chandigarh, December 27: As many as 51 Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel would be air-lifted to Chennai and Car Nicobar on Tuesday to take part in the rescue operations being carried out in the Tsunami-affected coastal areas of south India.

Sources in the Air Force said the 12 Wing Air Force Station has been given the task to airlift the ITBP personnel along with 9.5 tonnes of rescue load from Chandigarh to Chennai and then to Car Nicobar.

The IL-76 aircraft, which would take off for Chennai, would land at Delhi for sometime, where additional rescue load would be put into the aircraft. Besides, three AN aircraft have been kept on standby at 12 Wing, which would take off the moment a communication is received from the Western Air Command.

Meanwhile, president of city unit of Siromani Akali Dal (SAD) Gurpartap Singh Riar appealed to the management committee of all gurdwaras and temples to donate generously for the relief fund to be sent to earthquake victims. Meanwhile, Sewa Bharti has decided to help quake victims by providing clothing, foodstuff and medicines. A collection centre has also been opened at Sector 29 Sewa Dham.

According to Sector 17 Bank of India branch chief manager S.S. Bhatia, all branches have started collecting donations for the Prime Minister’s relief fund.