In a heroic act, the Indian Air Force rescued a US citizen from Leh in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.

The woman was stranded for nearly 20 days without assistance and suffered serious injuries.

The US Embassy through the Ministry of Defence asked the IAF for help in locating Margaret Allen Stone, the woman stranded in Leh.

Stone had set out for a trekking trip in Ladakh's Zhingchan area, some 75 kilometres from Leh on September 6.

Stone was stranded after she suffered an injury while on her trek and was held up in the remote location for the next 20 days.

When the IAF personnel located her, Stone was in a critical condition. Officials said that her condition had deteriorated over the last 20 days due to a lack of medical attention.

"IAF responded to the situation with requisite alacrity. Exact location of Ms Stine was ascertained with the help of civil administration and by evening two IAF helicopters were able to locate Ms Stone in the Valley. Ms Stone was brought to the safety of Leh hospital for medical care by sunset on 26 September 27," read a statement by the IAF.