PATNA: A relief operation turned into a nightmare when a food packet allegedly dropped from an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter hit Anil Kumar Singh alias Appu Singh (62), a local hawker, killing him on the spot in Saran district on Friday.Amnour SHO Vimlesh Kumar said the man was going to collect relief material when the incident occurred, but the exact cause of his death would be known after the post-mortem.A woman and two children were also injured in a separate incident during the same aerial relief operation. The incident took place in Parshurampur village under Amnour block, where thousands of flood-hit residents have been forced to leave their homes and take shelter on embankments.According to his family, Anil had taken his lunch and was sitting outside his house when the helicopter began dropping packets, reportedly weighing around 5 kg each.One of the packets allegedly fell directly on his head, causing him to collapse. His son claimed that another packet subsequently landed on his chest, allegedly killing Anil on the spot.A video recorded before the incident has surfaced, purportedly showing villagers running behind the helicopter as it flew low over the area.The second incident occurred in the same village when a woman, standing on the roof of her house with her two children, reportedly waiting for relief packets, was injured.The woman was identified as Vimla Devi (45), wife of Badri Sah.According to the woman’s family, when the helicopter came close to the house, the force of the air generated by the chopper affected those standing on the roof.The woman sustained injuries in her leg, while both children were also injured. All three were admitted to Chhapra Sadar Hospital for treatment.
