Adventure in times of corona: Nine lost-and-found trekkers in Zabarwan

Srinagar: Nine Kashmiri trekkers were rescued after an eight-hour long rescue operation on Sunday when they lost their lost their way coming down from Zabarwan hills in Nishat here.

This comes at a time when the administration including the Department of Wildlife Protection, Kashmir has repeatedly advised people not to venture outdoors.

The incident took place around 8.30 pm on Saturday when nine male trekkers in their twenties, who are residents of Brane Nishat, sought help from the district administration.

Subsequently, the rescue operation was carried out by six forest personnel headed by the Wildlife Warden Central. After a long eight-hour search, the team located the stranded trekkers at Shuker Gaji in the hills.

“On Sunday morning, all the trekkers were brought back safely and handed over to Nishat Police station,” Wildlife Warden Central Altaf Hussain said.

Hussain urged people to avoid going outdoors to prevent themselves from the pandemic.

“It’s a humble request to everyone. We are under the onslaught of a virus which is invisible to the eye and yet it can affect us within no time, claiming our lives. So we need to be extra cautious. Stay home. Stay safe,” Hussain said.