Gulmarg: All tourists stranded mid-air after a technical snag halted the Gulmarg Gondola cable car service on Monday were rescued safely following a massive multi-agency operation involving Jammu and Kashmir Police, SDRF, Army and NDRF.
DGP Nalin Prabhat speaking said, the technical fault developed around 1:20 PM, leaving several cable car cabins suspended mid-air with tourists onboard.
Prabhat said SHO Gulmarg along with SOG personnel were the first responders to reach the spot soon after the incident.
“After that, we mobilised 14 SDRF teams. Later, another team was added, taking the total to 15 SDRF teams,” the DGP said, after completion of the operation.
He said eight mountain rescue teams and nine Snow Leopard units were also deployed for the rescue mission.
“A large number of J&K Police personnel, along with SDRF, Indian Army and NDRF, took part in the rescue operation,” Prabhat said.
Despite rainy weather and difficult terrain, rescue teams managed to evacuate all stranded tourists safely.
Officials said nearly 320 tourists were rescued during the operation, while around 45 persons who were physically unfit were evacuated on stretchers.
Authorities also used ATV bikes during the operation to facilitate rescue efforts in the difficult terrain.