Tour operators join ops to find Israeli trekker

Members of Adventure Tour Operators Association (ATOA) today joined the ongoing search and rescue operation for a missing Israeli-American national, Samuel (Shmuel) Vengrinovich (35), who has been missing in the Indrahar Pass region near Dharamsala since Friday.

The ATOA received an urgent request from the Israeli rescue team on the night of June 10, seeking support in the challenging high-altitude rescue mission. Acting promptly, a team of three trained and experienced mountain rescuers from Manali, led by Ramesh Kumar, president of ATOA, was dispatched to Dharamsala with technical mountain rescue equipment. The team was joined on site by four local trekking guides familiar with the difficult terrain.

The on-ground coordination is being handled by Praveen Sood, general secretary of ATOA, Kullu-Manali, and a veteran in Himalayan rescue operations.

“We are working in close coordination with the Israeli team, local administration and volunteer groups. The district administration and DC office have also extended logistical and operational support to the mission, including providing satellite phones to ensure seamless communication in the remote and rugged areas,” said Sood.

Samuel Vengrinovich had set out on a trek towards Indrahar Pass with his friends and was last seen on June 6 at approximately 12.37 pm near a glacier, adjoining the Indrahar Pass trail. Bad weather conditions were believed to have caused him to lose his way.

Meanwhile, the SP of Kangra district, Shalini Agnihotri, said she was constantly monitoring the search operation.

She has urged tourists and trekkers to inform the local police before venturing out on tricky treks and follow guidelines related to weather, safety and routes.