LAHORE – Pakistan Army and Airforce personnel have rescued tourists trapped in snowy mountains at Toheed Abad near Nathiagali, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Tuesday.
According to the military’s media wing, the rescue operation was started at 3:00am early Tuesday morning in which the personnel of Army and PAF provided quick relief to the stranded tourists with the help of Rescue 1122.
The tourists have been shifted to safe places in Murree and Kala Bagh areas.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/footage-featuring-risky-rescue-of-british-mountaineers-by-pakistan-army-surfaces/
Earlier, military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor had tweeted the beginning of the rescue operation.
According to the DG ISPR, the rescue teams were sent after they received “media reports” and would help “in support of civil administration”.
In his tweet, Maj-Gen Asif Ghafoor said that the rescue teams were carrying medicines and food items. He added that the authorities were also clearing snow and broken vehicles from the road near Toheed Abad.
https://twitter.com/OfficialDGISPR/status/1087474642678439939
A number of tourists were trapped in Ayubia, Nathia Gali and other parts of the valley due to the closed routes, after a new spell of heavy snowfall punched the mountainous areas, intensifying the problems of the local people as well.
In a video message, the tourists appealed the local and other concerned authorities to make efforts to rescue them as they were trapped due to heavy snowfall that closed the roads.
Nathiya Gali has received 3 feet of snow, while the temperature has fallen below freezing.
The inclement weather paralysed life in upper areas as temperatures dropped to below freezing point. The local administration has warned the tourist in the areas to be cautious while driving in the slippery roads. Numerous roads in the areas were closed because of the heaviest snowfall of the season so far.
According to the Met Office, intermittent snowfall started in the late hours of Sunday, will continue for another day.
