Amarnath cloudburst: 16 dead, over 40 missing in tragic incident near cave shrine, multi-agency rescue operations underway - In pics
ITBP, NDRF and the Indian Army conduct search and rescue operations at cloudburst-affected areas of Amarnath cave. (Photo credits- ANI)
Rescue operations underway
Stranded pilgrims rescued
An injured is being carried after the cloudburst at the Amarnath Cave area, in Baltal on Saturday. Officials said 15,000 stranded pilgrims were shifted to the lower base camp of Panjtarni and 25 injured people were rushed to hospitals after the flash flood and landslides rummaged through tents and community kitchens on Friday afternoon.
ITBP teams present at cloudburst-affected areas
Administration deploys advanced light helicopters for rescue operations
2 Through Wall Radars and 2 search and rescue dogs moved to the Amarnath cave for rescue operation via helicopters from Sharifabad today. An Mi-17 chopper of the BSF's air wing has been pressed into service. The Jammu and Kashmir administration has also deployed advanced light helicopters for rescue operations.
Army deploys high-tech equipment, sniffer dogs
Sniffer dogs in action as rescue operations underway at cloudburst-affected areas. According to an Army official, mountain rescue teams and lookout patrols with high-tech equipment and sniffer dogs have been deployed for the search and rescue operation. Nine surveillance detachments with hand-held thermal imagers, night-vision devices and other gadgets were deployed for the search operations, the official said.
Air rescue operations by Indian Army
Assisting pilgrims coming from cave shrine
Evacuation of pilgrims continued till 3.38 am
"Most of the pilgrims, who were stranded near the holy cave shrine area due to the flash flood, have been shifted to Panjtarni. The evacuation continued till 3.38 am. No pilgrim is left on the track. About 15,000 people have been safely shifted till now," the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) spokesperson said.