Schoolchildren among 235 civilians trapped in snow rescued by Indian Army in Kishtwar

As many as 235 civilians, including schoolchildren, stranded in snow,
have been rescued by the troops of the White Knight Corps of the
Indian Army and J&K Police from the 14,000 feet high Sinthan Pass in
the Kishtwar district of the Jammu division, said a defence spokesman
on Monday.

These civilians travelling in 38 vehicles on Sunday were caught in
heavy snowfall in the road that links the Kishtwar with the Anantnag
district in south Kashmir. They were travelling on the mountainous
road ignoring the snow alert of the weather department.

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The defence spokesman said that the civilians were stranded in severe
weather conditions.

The White Knight Corps wrote on X; “On 15 March information was
received regarding 235 civilians and 38 vehicles stranded at Sinthan
Pass in the general area of Kishtwar, due to heavy snowfall and severe
weather conditions. Troops of @Whiteknight_IA were immediately
mobilised to launch a swift rescue operation despite treacherous
terrain and relentless snowfall”.

“Braving extreme weather and snow-blocked roads, rescue teams reached
Sinthan Top and stranded civilians were provided hot meals, drinking
water and shelter. Repair and recovery teams restored mobility of
stranded vehicles, while passengers from unrecoverable vehicles were
safely evacuated. Medical teams rendered assistance and essential
medicines to those in need”.

“The operation concluded successfully, with all civilians and vehicles
safely escorted to safety. The mission witnessed seamless coordination
between the Indian Army, J&K Police and National Highways and
Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL), reaffirming the
Indian Army’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives in the
harshest conditions”, the White Knight Corps added.