ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti has thanked Almighty Allah for the safe rescue and evacuation of 7 schoolchildren and a teacher who were stranded in a dangling cable car in the Battagram District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, local media reported on Tuesday.
In a statement via his social media account, the minister said, “Thankful to Allah that the rescue operation at Battagram has successfully completed. All appreciation for our valiant armed forces personnel for their determination in carrying out this complex operation,”.
Thankful to Allah that the rescue process at Battagram has successfully concluded. All appreciation for our valiant armed forces personnel, administration & locals for their selflessness and determination in carrying out this complex operation.
— Sarfraz Bugti (@PakSarfrazbugti) August 22, 2023
Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar announced that the Pakistan Army’s Special Services Group (SSG) has successfully rescued all eight passengers who were dangling mid-air after the rope of a cable car broke.
Relieved to know that Alhamdolillah all the kids have been successfully and safely rescued. Great team work by the military, rescue departments, district administration as well as the local people. 🇵🇰 https://t.co/2gPq2Q51Xi
— Anwaar ul Haq Kakar (@anwaar_kakar) August 22, 2023
In a remarkable display of expertise and coordination, the Pakistan Army successfully completed a challenging rescue operation in Battagram district of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, successfully rescued all the stranded schoolchildren and a teacher stranded around 600 feet above the ground in a cable car, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Tuesday night.
Led by GOC SSG (Special Services Group), the operation involved a joint effort between the Army Aviation, SSG’s sling team, and the Pakistan Air Force, with the support of local administration and cable experts, ISPR said.
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As per the directive of the Army Chief, the operation was swiftly initiated, showcasing the rapid response of the armed forces of Pakistan. The collaboration between the Army Aviation and SSG’s sling team was pivotal in ensuring the safe rescue of all persons aboard the chairlift, who were subsequently relocated to a secure location.
The complex rescue mission was supported by the presence of a local cable crossings expert. The incident occurred when a cable of the cable car snapped, leaving the open cable car suspended at a height of 600 feet. The rescue operation faced challenges due to gusty winds and the potential destabilization posed by helicopter rotor blades.
