The Kargil district administration and police on Sunday airlifted more than 74 tourists, including foreigners, who were stranded in snow for the past eight days while on their way towards Manali in Himachal Pradesh.
A police spokesman said that 13 stranded passengers, including foreign national and Nepali porters, were rescued from village Kargaik and Tangzey Lungnak in Zanskar near Himachal Pradesh Border.
Many among the rescued were suffering from frostbite.
Around 60 Nepali porters, including women and children, one French national, four Indian nationals who were on way to Himachal Pradesh via Shinkula had been stuck up near Lakhang due to heavy snowfall in the region.
After strenuous efforts by men of the police station Zanskar, with the help of locals, the stranded were traced near Lakhang and shifted to nearby village where they were provided food, shelter and other necessities.
However, having remained stuck up for long in snow, many among them suffered frostbite on feet and hands.
After active efforts from district administration and Kargil district police, helicopter rescue was arranged and medical emergencies were airlifted to Padum in Zanskar and shifted to community health centre Zanskar where they were provided first aid and are undergoing treatment.
The Kargil district in Jammu-Kashmir shares a border with northern part of Himachal Pradesh.