Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 30: Air Force pilots, Naval Commandos and Army today rescued six boys who were struck amid the landslide, in the freezing waters of Kausernag Lake in Pir Panjal mountains of Kulgam district .
Army said that a joint Army-Navy-Air Force rescue mission was launched at the behest of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Shailendra Kumar on hearing about the life threatening situation of six trekkers.
Reports said a group of six boys had gone on an adventure trip to Kausernag which is located on the Pir Panjal Ranges of South Kashmir. While trekking, a landslide occurred enroute, trapping the group into the Lake.
“One of the members was safe and was able to communicate with the civil administration. The Divisional Commissioner sought help from the Army and Air Force and a joint rescue mission on war footing saved the trekkers,” reports said.
Army’s ground troops on a 5 kilometre long trek and the Air Force Helicopters took off to undertake one of the most challenging rescue tasks through winching and the Naval Commandos were prepared to be launched through the lake in case the Air Force effort did not materialise due to bad weather.
However, the Air Force Helicopter team successfully winch lifted the group of boys struck inside the lake and dropped them at the shore. “In a simultaneous effort, the Army Aviation inserted the ground teams suitably into the nearby places to reach out to the affected boys, resuscitate and bring them to the place of safety”, a statement issued by Army said here.
Lt Gen Gurmit Singh, Chinar Corps Commander and the senior most tri-service officers in the Valley congratulated the families of the boys whose lives were saved. He also commended the tri-service troops who participated in the rescue operation.
Deputy Commissioner and SP Kulgam were personally monitoring the medical treatment of the children who have been identified as Adil son of Mushtaq Ahmed, Salman Riaz son of Riaz Ahmed residents of Barbarshah, Fahad Hafiz son of Abdul Rashid, Munib son of Vikar Ahmed Khan and Amir son of Sarfaraz Hussain.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir appreciated the Airforce, Army, Police, District Administration Kulgam and the local civilians who formed part of the joint rescue team.
Governor NN Vohra has conveyed high appreciation of the prompt action taken by the Civil Administration, Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Air Force, Army and the local people which resulted in saving the precious lives of several youth from drowning in Kaunsar Nag in Kulgam district today.
In a message, the Governor has complimented Shailendra Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, for immediately mobilizing Air Force support to have an IAF Helicopter to rescue the youth. He has also complimented Deputy Commissioner, Kulgam, the Police, Army, Air Force and all those who helped in saving these precious lives.
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