PESHAWAR: Pakistan’s Army is exploring alternative options in a high-stakes operation to rescue eight persons — including six school students — who have been stuck in a cable car hanging at least 900 feet in the air for the last 11 hours. The cable snapped above a remote mountainous area in the Battagram district of Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
As per media reports, one of the military helicopters sent to rescue the group inadvertently destabilized the cable car during an attempted sling operation to get closer.
Authorities have stated that the operation has become exceedingly difficult due to the presence of another cable positioned 30 feet above the chairlift, which has the potential to collide with the helicopter. This second cable above the cable car has compelled the SSG team on the ground to explore alternative options for the safe rescue of the stranded individuals.
Two helicopters from Pakistan Army Aviation and Pakistan Air Force are participating in the rescue effort, under the leadership of the GOC. One of the helicopters also conducted surveillance of the area before returning.
Officials have announced that the army will continue the rescue operation into the night. However, the operation is being conducted with the utmost caution.
Students Use Cable Car for Going to School
Local media reports confirm that six schoolchildren and two teachers, who were utilizing the cable car for transportation to school, became stranded midair at 7 am on Tuesday. This unfortunate incident occurred when two wires of the cable car snapped in a mountainous area within Battagram’s Allai tehsil.
