Srinagar, Jan 18 (UNI) At least 30 stranded civilians who were stuck on the Kupwara Tangdhar road last night were rescued by Army and General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF), Army said in Srinagar on Tuesday.
The civilians were stuck closer to Khooni Nala in the avalanche prone Chowkibal-Tagdhar road amid adverse weather conditions.

“As soon as the information of civilians getting stuck closer to Khooni Nala and SM Hill on NH 701 reached the troops at Nastachun Pass, two teams including an avalanche rescue team from the Indian Army and a team of GREF were mobilised for rescuing the civilians who were stuck in their vehicles” the statement said.

Despite adverse weather conditions compounded by twin avalanches, 14 civilians were rescued and brought to Neelam and 16 civilians to NC pass, which is also known as Sadhna pass.

All the rescued civilians were provided food, medical care and shelter for the night.

“Twelve vehicles were later retrieved post avalanche after snow slides clearance from the road on January 18”, the army said adding “GREF played a difficult but stellar role in snow clearance amidst dangerous conditions. The entire effort took about five to six hours.”

Last year also civilians were rescued by the troops near Khooni Nala, closer to NC pass, as the area is prone to avalanches and snow slides, it added.