2 die on Srinagar-Leh NH after hit by landslides

Srinagar, Nov 27: The bodies of two stranded passengers, who had gone missing yesterday after getting trapped in a snowstorm near Gumri on the 434-km Srinagar-Leh national highway, were recovered today, police said.

Meanwhile, massive efforts have been launched to rescue about 500 passengers stranded at various points along the road for the past eight days.

Police said a group of 40 passengers, mostly government employees, decided to leave for here by foot. As the group reached Gumri near the Zojilla Pass, it was caught in a snowstorm.

Police said while 38 passengers had a miraculous escape before reaching here, two teachers, identified as Shabir Ahmed Andrabi, a resident of Pojjal in Pulwama district, and Bashir Ahmed Mir from Anantnag were killed after they came under landslides.

The bodies of the two were recovered today, police added.

The state government has launched a massive operation to evacuate more than 500 passengers stranded at various places along the national highway, which was closed after heavy snowfall triggered landslides at many places last week.

About 50 heavy vehicles, including those of the Army and Police, carrying essential commodities to the Ladakh region, were also stranded due to the blockade of the road at different places.

Social Welfare Minister Haji Nisar Ali conducted an extensive inspection of the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Kargil road yesterday to take stock of the problems, besides ensuring safe passage for the stranded vehicles and passengers.

The Minister said men and machinery of the Project Beacon of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) were striving hard to clear the blockade and ensuring safe passage to the stranded passengers and vehicles.

UNI

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