140 stranded passengers rescued in J&K

Nearly 140 passengers who were stuck in the snowfall in Kupwara district of Kashmir were rescued by security forces, a defence spokesman said today.
Several vehicles, carrying nearly 140 passengers including women and children, were stranded at Nasta Chun Pass on Kupwara-Tangdhar road on Thursday evening due to severe snowfall in the area.
A team of army was deployed and the passengers were taken to the safety.
"The passengers were facing grave threat to their lives due to heavy snowfall and inclement weather. Despite inhospitable and inclement weather conditions, avalanche rescue team of an Army Unit posted nearby sprung into action and rescued the stranded passengers," defence official said.

A snow-clearing dozer was pressed into service by the Border Roads Organisation to clear the road off the snow for allowing the traffic to move out of the danger area, official added.