The Indian Army has rescued 95 tourists and shepherds who were stranded due to avalanches and landslides in far-flung areas of Ladakh.
Army spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said that among the rescued were 81 tourists and 14 persons of the shepherd community. The rescued included men, women and children. They were stranded due to bad weather on Wednesday, when avalanches and landslides hit the area.
A total of 81 tourists were left stranded between Changmar and Bukdang villages in Siachen Brigade area of Fire & Fury Corps of the Army due to multiple landslides on road between Pratap Pur and Turtuk villages.
The stranded tourists, who were visiting Shyok region, were trapped in areas with no habitation under intermittent heavy rain.
Assessing the gravity of the situation, troops of the Fire & Fury Corps immediately swung into action and launched relief operation.
The tourists trapped in the area were first rescued to safety and then provided with warm clothing, shelter, mess, medical aid and other administrative assistance.
The tourists were facilitated with safe and comfortable night halt at one of the Army posts in the area.
The distressed tourists expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Indian Army for this benevolent gesture.
Quick response by Army troops resulted in the saving of precious human lives in Drass sector.
A column of the Fire & Fury Corps reacted immediately in the early hours of morning, on receiving input about an avalanche in the Mushkoh valley. Aware of the presence of Bakarwal Deras in the area, a column from the nearest Company Operating Base (COB) was immediately rushed for rescue efforts.
The troops were able to successfully rescue shepherd families whose temporary camp had got buried under snow. Timely intervention resulted in the saving of 14 lives.
The injured persons were provided first aid and the Army assisted the shepherds to shift to a safe location.