Qazigund: At least 10 tourists were rescued after they got stuck near an old tunnel in Qazigund area of Kulgam district when they were on their way to Kashmir, officials said on Monday.
An official told a local news gathering agency that the tourists got stuck near the tunnel due to unexpected snowfall.
“The tourists, who got stuck, belong to Andaman and Nicobar Islands,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tehsildar Qazigund Khursheed Ahmad Tantray said that ten persons got stuck on B-Top, which is around 20 km above Jawahar Tunnel, adding that a team was rushed to the spot to rescue them.
Moreover, police in a statement said that amid the inclement weather, Kulgam police have provided a helping hand to 10 tourists (all the residents of Andaman and Nicobar), who got stuck at B-top, Jawahar Tunnel.
Today a specific information was received by Kulgam police that some tourists got stuck in heavy snowfall at an unknown place (not known to them) while travelling in their vehicle bearing registration number HR55AN-9507 in the jurisdiction of district Kulgam, police spokesman said.
Accordingly, a police party headed by SDPO Qazigund Govind Rattan, SHO Qazigund, IC PP JT alongwith civil administration Kulgam and BEACON under the close supervision of SP Kulgam Sahil Sarangal was constituted, police said.
“By using all available means and with the help of technical assistance their location was traced out by the joint rescue team and promptly the said team rushed to the spot and rescued all the 10 persons who got stuck in heavy snowfall at higher reaches of B-top Jawahar Tunnel,” police said.
They were provided necessary assistance & help and were shifted to safe accommodation and from where they started their further journey towards Jammu smoothly, police said, adding that the tourists expressed their gratitude towards police for their timely help and necessary assistance.
Meanwhile, authorities have closed Sinthan Pass road for all sorts of traffic in view of the bad weather predictions. (KNO)