Army rescues 73 civilians trapped in avalanche hit Sadhna Pass near LoC

A gigantic avalanche was triggered in the area falling close to the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

The Army said on Saturday that its men rescued 73 civilians including women and children trapped along 3,000m high Nasta Chhun Pass, better known as Sadhna Pass, following a gigantic avalanche which was triggered in the area falling close to the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Friday.

Meanwhile, an Army soldier was killed and two others were injured when they were struck by lightning in the State’s Samba district on Friday night.

The trio was on duty near the Ditch-Cum-Bund (DCB) on Abtal road in the Ramgarh sector when the lightning struck them, police said. Sepoy Jai Paul of Himachal Pradesh died on the spot while the injured identified as Naik Raj Kumar of Kathua district of J&K and Naik Anil Kumar of Pathankot in neighbouring Punjab are being treated in a local hospital, the police added.

Defence spokesman Lt. Col, N.N. Joshi told reporters that the recent spell of incessant rains and heavy snowfall at higher reaches of Tangdhar in Kupwara triggered avalanche on Tangdhar- Nasta Chhun road causing road blocks at various places.

“Army detachment based at Nasta Chhun received information about stranded vehicles full of passengers including women, children, aged persons and an ambulance with a critically ill heart patient approximately 1.5km away from Nasla Chhun Pass,” he said adding the Army avalanche rescue team of Nasta Chhun pass was sprung into action immediately despite harsh weather conditions, snow blizzard and zero visibility”.

In their swift rescue operation, the Army personnel from local unit of Rashtriya Rifles were able to remove to safer locations all the 73 civilians. They were given medical aid and subsequently safe passage. “The timely and prompt assistance provided by the Army not only rescued the civilians but also ensured that they reach their destination safely. All the rescued persons appreciated the Army which come to their rescue and risking their own lives amidst the avalanche warnings,” the spokesman said.

Nasta Chhun or Sadhna Pass is a mountain pass connecting Karnah tehsil of Kupwara district with the rest of the Jammu and Kashmir. It is located in the vast Shams Bri mountainous range.