KISHTWAR: More than 150 passengers stranded at the snowbound Sinthan Top were safely evacuated on Sunday after the District Administration Kishtwar launched a swift rescue operation following heavy snowfall that disrupted traffic along the route.
Officials said that more than 25 vehicles carrying passengers were stuck at the high-altitude pass due to sudden snowfall and slippery road conditions, leaving commuters stranded in the harsh weather.
On receiving information, Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma rushed to the spot along with Senior Superintendent of Police Naresh Singh and the Commanding Officer of 11 Rashtriya Rifles to personally supervise the rescue efforts.
The Deputy Commissioner directed the concerned departments and rescue teams to immediately initiate evacuation measures and ensure the safe movement of stranded passengers to safer locations.
With coordinated efforts by the district administration, police, and security forces, all passengers were successfully rescued and evacuated from the affected area, with no reported casualties.
Officials said timely intervention by rescue teams helped avert a potential emergency in the snowbound region.
The operation was also assisted by SDM Chatroo Nayeem-ur-Rehman, Tehsildar Shuja Hamid, officials from NHIDCL, and other concerned departments, who worked together to ensure the smooth evacuation of the stranded passengers.
