Seven Killed In Zojila Pass Avalanche In Ladakh; Multiple Vehicles Buried, Rescue On

A tragic avalanche at Zojila Pass on Friday claimed the lives of at least seven people and left several others injured, officials said. The sudden snow slide struck vehicles near Zero Point, burying them under heavy snow and triggering an urgent rescue operation.

Authorities fear that more people may have been trapped as the situation unfolded.

Vehicles Buried Under Snow

According to initial reports, at least five vehicles were caught in the avalanche while travelling through the high-altitude pass. Among them was a passenger vehicle, which suffered the most severe impact.

Officials confirmed that several occupants died on the spot due to the intensity of the avalanche. Others were rescued with injuries, while one person is still reported missing.
The vehicles were travelling from Srinagar towards Kargil when the incident occurred.

Casualties and Rescue Efforts

Police officials stated that seven people have been confirmed dead so far, while five others have sustained injuries. The injured have been shifted to nearby medical facilities for treatment.

Rescue teams, including local police and disaster management authorities, are continuing search operations to locate the missing person and ensure no one remains trapped under the snow.

Teams are working under difficult weather conditions, which are slowing down the rescue process.

Authorities Respond to the Crisis

Emergency services were quickly mobilised following the incident. Personnel from the police, disaster response units, and road maintenance agencies rushed to the site to assist in rescue efforts.

Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena said he is closely monitoring the situation. He directed officials in Kargil to immediately visit the site and ensure that relief operations are carried out without delay.

He also stated that multiple government agencies, including the Border Roads Organisation, have been put on high alert.

Why Zojila Pass Is Risk-Prone

Zojila Pass is one of the most challenging mountain routes in India. Located in the Himalayas at an altitude of around 3,528 metres, it connects the Kashmir Valley with Ladakh.

The pass is known for:

• Narrow and steep roads
• Extreme weather conditions
• Heavy snowfall during winter
• Frequent avalanches

Due to these factors, the route often becomes dangerous, especially during periods of sudden weather changes.

Strategic Importance of the Route

Despite the risks, Zojila Pass remains a vital route for both civilian travel and military logistics. It connects Srinagar to Leh and plays a key role in maintaining supply lines to Ladakh.

Any disruption on this route affects not only local movement but also strategic operations in the region.