Stuck in avalanche, 30 civilians rescued in Kupwara

Jammu, January 18

Amidst fresh snowfall and avalanches, the Army and the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) rescued 30 civilians stuck on Chowkibal-Tangdhar road (NH-701) in Kupwara on the night intervening Monday and Tuesday.

As soon as the information about civilians stuck close to Khooni Nala on National Highway-701 reached the troops at the NC pass, two rescue teams — one comprising Army’s avalanche rescue men and the other of the General Reserve Engineer Force — were mobilised to rescue the civilians stuck inside their vehicles. “Despite adverse weather conditions compounded by twin avalanches, 14 civilians were rescued and brought to Neelam and 16 civilians to the NC pass, which is also commonly known as Sadhna pass. All the rescued civilians were provided food, medical care and shelter for the night,” said an Army spokesperson.

Twelve vehicles were later retrieved during the day post clearance of snow from the road. The entire operation took about five to six hours.

In a similar incident reported last year, troopers had rescued a few civilians near Khooni Nala. The area is prone to avalanches and snow slides.

Army retrieves over 12 vehicles in 5 hours

• Over 12 vehicles were retrieved from mounds of snow on Tuesday amid the operation that lasted around five to six hours.
• All 30 civilians were rescued on Monday night and they were given food, medical care and shelter for the night by the Army.