Srinagar, January 9:
A pall of gloom has descended over the Chandoosa area of Baramulla as rescue teams retrieved the bodies of two Army porters on Friday morning. The duo had gone missing after slipping into a deep mountain stream (nallah) near the treacherous Upper Gulmarg slopes during a heavy snow spell.
The tragedy occurred on Thursday afternoon when the porters, working with the 18 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), were transporting essential supplies to Anita Post. This forward military installation is a critical high-altitude post that remains cut off from the rest of the world during the peak winter months due to massive snow accumulation.
While negotiating a particularly narrow and slippery snow-covered stretch, both men lost their footing and plunged into the ravine below.
The Victims
The deceased have been identified as residents of the Chandoosa area in Baramulla:
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Layakat Ahmad Deedard (27), son of Ghulam Mohammad Deedard (Masjid Aagan).
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Ishfaq Ahmad Khatana (33), son of Jamal-ud-Din Khatana (Pachar).
Operation in Sub-Zero Conditions
Immediately after the accident, a joint rescue operation was launched by the Indian Army and local police. The search continued through the night despite:
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Extreme Cold: Temperatures in the region plummeted below –7°C.
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Treacherous Terrain: Deep snow and frozen surfaces made the descent into the nallah extremely dangerous.
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Low Visibility: Heavy fog and darkness hampered early efforts.
By Friday morning, the bodies were located and successfully retrieved. They have been shifted for legal formalities before being handed over to their respective families for final rites.
Harsh Winter Grips the Valley
This tragic accident comes as Kashmir reels under a severe cold wave. Authorities have reiterated safety warnings for those operating in forward areas, as back-to-back snowfall over the last 10 days has left the upper reaches of Gulmarg and Baramulla highly prone to slips and avalanches.
