Fresh spell of snow in Ladakh; eight rescued

Srinagar, April 23

The Army has rescued eight civilians who were caught in a heavy snowfall in Khardung La area of Ladakh region, a defence spokesman said on Friday.

The spokesman said the Siachen Brigade launched a rescue operation as soon as heavy snowfall disrupted traffic along the route from North Pullu – Khardung La Top – South Pullu, leading to civilian vehicles getting stranded near Khardung La Top and North Pullu on Wednesday.

“At a distance of 5 km from North Pullu towards Khardung La Top, three vehicles were stranded due to snowslide and one vehicle had overturned. Army detachments from North Pullu along with the avalanche rescue teams cleared the snow and rescued eight civilians,” the spokesman said.

After checking the health of the rescued people, a few civilians who were from nearby Khardung village were dropped at their respective houses and the others were accommodated at Khalsar, the officer said. — PTI

Vehicles stranded

Three vehicles were stranded due to snowslide and one vehicle was overturned following which Army detachments from North Pullu along with the avalanche rescue teams were sent to clear the snow