Scripting history in aviation records, an Indian Air Force (IAF) IL-76MD ‘Gajraj’ has landed at Eastern Ladakh’s Mudh-Nyoma airbase at 13,629 feet, marking the highest-altitude landing by the military transport aircraft anywhere in the world and underscoring India’s strategic airlift capability.

The successful landing took place on Friday, it is learnt. The airbase, which lies barely 25 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC), was inaugurated just a year ago.

The development is significant as it demonstrates that the Russian-origin four-engine turbofan heavy-lift strategic airlifter can carry men and military equipment right up to the borders — a key capability in mountain warfare.

It also comes amid tensions along the LAC and at a time when India and China are yet to achieve a full de-escalation of troops in the Ladakh region, despite achieving disengagement at the friction points and resumption of patrolling since October 2024.

The IAF announced the development in a post on X, stating it marked a…