SRINAGAR, March 27 — A devastating avalanche struck the Zojila Pass on Friday, resulting in the deaths of at least six people and leaving five others injured. Officials stated that a passenger vehicle traveling along the high-altitude pass was intercepted by a massive snow slide, which buried the craft and its occupants instantly. A senior official affirmed that six individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, while emergency teams worked rapidly to pull survivors from the mounting snow.
The rescue operation was launched immediately following the incident to retrieve the deceased and provide medical aid to those trapped. Authorities maintained that the five injured passengers have been shifted to nearby medical facilities, where they are currently undergoing treatment. Law enforcement and disaster response teams asserted that the site remains under active surveillance as clearance operations continue to ensure no other vehicles were caught in the slide.
Zojila Pass serves as the critical link between the Kashmir Valley and the Ladakh region, though it is notoriously prone to such natural disasters during the late winter and early spring months. Officials declared that the treacherous terrain and recent weather patterns likely contributed to the instability of the snowpack. They noted that further details regarding the identities of the victims are awaited as the families are being notified.
While the primary rescue phase has concluded, authorities maintained that the pass remains a high-risk zone. They stated that movement along the highway is being strictly monitored to prevent further casualties. The administration affirmed its commitment to clearing the debris as quickly as possible, though the threat of secondary avalanches remains a concern for ground teams.
