Srinagar: In the middle of fresh snowfall, the army on Tuesday said it saved at least 30 civilians trapped in two avalanches in Tanghdar-Chowkibal Highway (NH-701) in Kupwara Kashmir North.
While 14 civilians, including a child and critical heart patient, were saved from near Khooni Nala and SM Hill on the NH-701, 16 others stuck in the NC Pass area, also known as Sadhna Pass, saved by two landslide rescue teams.
The army and Tim Gref on Monday night, a military spokesman said in a statement.
Those who were saved were taken to Neelam and provided food, medical care and residence for that night.
The whole operation takes around five to six hours.
Avalanches, triggered by snow on Monday morning, Jalan Tangdhar-Chowkibal is clogged and 14 civilians stranded along with their vehicles.
“On getting information, the army of army avalanche from Neelum company operates under the Kapt Kuljot Singh, along with GREF, immediately swing into the action and evacuated for salvation,” Defense spokesman Col Emron Musavi said.
One civilian was saved to military officials that they had narrow escape because they had managed to jump out of their vehicle before being buried under the snow.
Rescuers then took a vehicle from the snow mound.
12 vehicles recovered on Tuesday after the snow was cleaned from the road.
Gref plays a star role in cleaning of snow in the midst of dangerous conditions, the spokesman said.