A group of individuals, including children, became trapped in a chairlift suspended 600 feet above the ground in the Alai Pashtu region of Bitgram district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The incident occurred during a school trip, with seven children and a teacher on board. The chairlift was supported by three cables, but two of them snapped, leaving only one cable to hold the chairlift in the air. The local community was unable to assist due to the height and complexity of the situation.
Emergency response teams, including the 1122 aid agency and Pakistan Army units, were dispatched to the scene. Initial attempts, including sending SSG commandos via helicopter, were unsuccessful due to the chairlift’s instability caused by the wind. Unfortunately, during these attempts, two individuals, including a heart patient, lost their lives, and some children fainted due to the stress.
Following these challenges, Pakistan Army commandos devised a new plan. They successfully conducted a sling operation, rescuing two children just before darkness fell. As nighttime and adverse weather conditions halted helicopter operations, local volunteers and experts from Mansehra continued the rescue mission. Eventually, all individuals trapped in the chairlift were safely rescued. The operation was conducted with the assistance of cable operators and the local administration.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) of the Pakistan Army confirmed the success of the rescue operation. Various units, including Army Aviation, Special Services Group (SSG), and Pakistan Air Force, worked together to accomplish the operation. Local cable experts and volunteers also played crucial roles. The armed forces emphasized their commitment to supporting the public in times of difficulty.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar acknowledged the collaborative efforts of the army, rescue departments, district administration, and local people in ensuring the safe rescue of all individuals. The complex operation involved changing strategies, including the use of helicopters and sling operations.
Rescue experts from Mansehra, known for their experience in similar situations, also contributed to the rescue after helicopter operations were suspended due to darkness and weather conditions. Despite the challenges posed by broken cables and high-tension wires, the rescue teams executed the operation meticulously.
The helicopter’s approach caused the chairlift to shake due to air pressure, prompting careful handling of the situation. Eventually, SSG commandos were able to deliver essential supplies to the trapped individuals, and a multi-phase operation successfully evacuated everyone from the chairlif
