Srinagar: It is not just the Indian Army has to support the local administration in its battle in curbing the spread of COVID-19 in the valley, at the same time it has to undertake task of rescuing civilian administration in times of distress. Tuesday was no different, the Indian Army’s Avalanche Rescue team acting in lightning speed saved the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and his team trapped under a pile of snow, just in time before the avalanche could drag their vehicle down the vertical cliff to their near certain death.
The Chowkibal – Tangdhar Road is the only axis connecting the people of Tangdhar to the outside world. This road is dotted with avalanche prone stretches and huge steep gorges and vertical cliffs.
At around 2.00 pm today, local SDM, Karnah and his driver, PSO were trapped in a massive avalanche at Sadhana pass. Immediately, upon receiving an SOS message, the Indian Army’s Avalanche Rescue Team stationed at Sadhana pass supported by troops deployed on duty rushed and swung into action.
The rescue mission was a hair-raising experience as the Avalanche Rescue Team had to not only work against time but also had to ensure safe recovery. The rescue team had to dig its way through to the bottom of the snow pile and work their way upwards.
After harrowing hours of never racking digging and shoveling the snow out of their way, the rescue team, finally managed to locate the vehicle buried under the snow and secure it.
The rescue team quickly broke through the vehicle’s windshield and rescued all the trapped individuals inside. As per eye witness accounts, the avalanche was just short of rolling the vehicle down the cliff.
The rescued team was immediately administered first aid and later stabilized at nearby medical inspection room at Sadhana pass. Everybody including the rescue team heaved a sigh of relief at the completion of a successful rescue mission.
