Mansehra: Efforts to rescue passengers trapped inside a cable car since early morning in Allai tehsil of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Battagram are continuing into the night with two children rescued.
Six people still remain inside the cable car dangling thousands of feet in the air above a ravine.
State broadcaster Radio Pakistan has reported that food and drinks are being supplied to the stranded people via a small chairlift dolly.
The two children were rescued by the armed forces amid rough weather and following multiple attempts shortly before the sunset as part of an operation that saw the use of four helicopters.
Once the darkness set in, state broadcaster PTV News reported that the aerial operation had been “called off” due to “night and weather conditions” but rescue efforts through “alternative means” were ongoing.
After night fall Army continued rescue operation and rescued 3 more children in the darkness of the night
A media correspondent at the site saw area locals preparing to launch a rescue attempt from on ground. The procedure, which he described as “quite risky”, involved a rescuer sliding on a rope to approach the cable car.
Earlier, Assistant Commissioner Jawad Hussain was the first to confirm the rescue of the first child.
The child was rescued by Pakistan Army personnel, the AC said, adding that belts had been delivered to the passengers inside the cable car. The first child was rescued with the help of a rope that was hooked onto the belt he was wearing.
Soon after, the news of the second child’s rescue was shared by KP Rescue 1122 Spokesperson Bilal Faizi as well as Hazara Deputy Inspector General of Police Tahir Ayub Khan.
The military’s media affairs wing also confirmed it had rescued the two children, adding that the operation was under way to rescue the rest of the individuals stuck in the chairlift.
According to Radio Pakistan, the army has taken the assistance of local cable crossings experts for this operation.
Meanwhile, Allai valley tehsil chairman Mufti Ghulamullah said the army helicopters retreated after the sunset due to poor visibility. “The operation is suspended,” he added.
Explaining the rescue process, a media correspondent present on site said a Special Services Group (SSG) commando conducted the rescue mission, and dropped the child at a nearby makeshift helipad.
He further said that three helicopters were taking part in the rescue process — two belonging to the army and one to the Pakistan Air Force.
The correspondent further said darkness had fallen upon the area and that flashlights as well as other lighting equipment were being used on to aid the rescue efforts.
