Soldiers trek for 24 hours to help nomad family

Jammu, May 17

Army personnel trekked for 24 hours to provide relief to a nomadic Bakarwal family stranded in snow in the 11,000 feet high Naginsur ridge in Kishtwar district, a defence spokesman said on Monday.

Bashir Ahmed, along with his wife, three children and a herd of animals, was on way to Navapanchchi in Marwah Valley from Kathua as part of the biannual migration in search of greener pastures when they were caught in snow with shortage of food. “Army’s Gujjar Bakarwal checkpost at Bhandarkut in Chhatroo sub-division received a call for help from Ahmed and a rescue party immediately moved from Chingam post,” the spokesman said.

He said after around 24 hours, the soldiers located the family and provided food, medicines and essential items. “The Bakarwal thanked the Army for the succour and said every year his dera moves to Marwah Valley and whenever they needed, the Army came with immediate help,” the spokesman added. — PTI