Kargil, Mar 29: In the aftermath of a snow avalanche along the Zojila Axis on Saturday, volunteers from Ansar-ul-Mehdi (Al-Mehdi Scouts) and the Al-Reza Health Care & Research Foundation, affiliated with Jamiat-ul-Ulama Isna Asharia Kargil, played a prominent role in supporting rescue and relief operations under hazardous conditions.
The avalanche, which struck a vulnerable stretch of the Zojila Pass, left several individuals critically injured and resulted in reported fatalities. Rescue efforts remain ongoing, with teams working against unstable terrain and persistent weather challenges.
Amid these circumstances, the swift mobilisation of local volunteers added critical support to the response. Members of Ansar-ul-Mehdi and the Al-Reza Foundation reached the affected site early, coordinating with official rescue agencies in search, evacuation, and first-response assistance. Their presence helped extend the operational reach of rescue teams, particularly in difficult and high-risk zones.
Witnesses and officials noted that volunteers navigated treacherous snow conditions to assist stranded individuals, often acting as the first line of response before specialised teams could fully access certain areas. Their efforts included helping retrieve the injured, facilitating movement through snowbound stretches, and assisting in preliminary medical care.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the vulnerability of the Zojila corridor, a crucial link between Ladakh and the Kashmir Valley, which remains prone to avalanches during winter. Authorities have cautioned against travel along the route as rescue operations continue.
Medical evacuation of the injured is underway, with several reported to be in critical condition. Weather conditions, however, continue to pose challenges to both rescue and evacuation efforts.
Local administration and community members have acknowledged the contribution of the volunteers, whose coordinated and timely intervention reinforced ongoing rescue operations. Their engagement reflects the increasing role of organised civil society groups in emergency response across remote and high-altitude regions.
Further details are awaited as authorities continue to assess the scale of the incident and carry forward relief operations.
