The armed forces have initiated a rescue operation in Battagram, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan to retrieve eight people, including six schoolchildren, who have been stranded in a cable car for over six hours. Early Tuesday morning, two of the cable car’s wires snapped, leaving the passengers trapped.
The operation is being carried out by special forces units from the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force, with the assistance of two helicopters. In case the helicopters are unable to rescue the passengers, ground efforts will be made using a snorkel by the teams of Rescue 1122. Local residents experienced in conducting similar rescue operations near the Diamer Bhasha dam have also been called in for assistance.
Meanwhile, Rescue 1122 teams are working to spread nets under the cable car. The stranded cable car is located in Allai tehsil, surrounded by tall mountains and a rocky surface, with the Jhangri river flowing beneath it. The exact height at which the passengers are stuck is yet unclear, but the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) estimates it to be between 1,000 and 2,000 feet.
Following the incident, a request was immediately made to the provincial chief secretary to deploy a helicopter for rescue operations. Television footage showed a Pakistan Army helicopter arriving at the site around noon, surveying the area for 15 minutes before returning. Subsequently, the military’s rapid response force and Special Service Group (SSG) commandos were deployed.
One of the stranded passengers, Gulfaraz, spoke to the media and mentioned that two students were slipping in and out of consciousness. He urged the authorities to prioritize human empathy and life, stating that people from their area were deeply concerned. The students do not have any food or drinking water, and their mobile phone batteries are running low.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has directed the relevant authorities, including the NDMA and KP Provincial Disaster Management Authority, to employ all available resources for the safe rescue of the trapped individuals. He has also emphasized the need to ensure safety arrangements and conduct safety audits on all chairlifts in hilly areas.
The lack of roads in the area has forced around 150 students to rely on the cable car for their daily commute to school. According to Iqbal, a school teacher in the area, there are no other transportation options available. He added that the cable car, which has been in operation for eight years, is regularly checked every month to ensure its proper functioning.
The situation is still developing, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available. It is important to rely on credible sources and qualified authorities for accurate and timely updates on the rescue operation.