Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 23: In the aftermath of a devastating avalanche striking the Army Ridge area of Gulmarg, a swift and coordinated rescue operation resulted in the successful evacuation of seven individuals, including six skiers from Russia and a local ski guide.
A statement issued by the Gulmarg Development Authority said that the CEO GDA Waseem Raja himself went to the site of the avalanche to oversee the rescue operations without caring about his safety.
“The joint efforts of the Gulmarg Ski Patrol of Tourism Department and J&K Police played a pivotal role in executing the rescue mission, ensuring the safety of those caught in the avalanche,” it said.
“Upon receiving news of the incident, Raja, promptly mobilized a team, accompanied by police officer Haroon Rashid and with great difficulty managed to reach the avalanche site on snow bike and by foot, where he personally oversaw the rescue operations. The proactive involvement of CEO Gulmarg has garnered widespread acclaim, particularly from the local community in Gulmarg, who lauded his unprecedented presence at the rescue site.”
“The successful outcome of the rescue mission, while saving the lives of seven individuals, is a testament to the coordinated efforts of the rescue team and the exemplary leadership demonstrated by CEO Gulmarg, setting a new benchmark for disaster response in the region”.