Banihal Volunteers: Unsung heroes of highway rescue and relief

Banihal, Mar 17: For over two decades, more than a 100 dedicated volunteers in Ramban district have braved treacherous conditions to conduct hundreds of life-saving rescue operations along the perilous Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

Operating in the accident-prone Banihal-Ramban sector, these selfless individuals have remained at the forefront of relief efforts during road accidents and natural disasters, earning them the title of “unsung heroes.”

Despite their unwavering commitment to saving lives, these volunteer groups - spanning more than half a dozen rescue teams - receive no formal support, financial aid, or equipment from the government. Among the most active of these is the ‘Banihal Volunteers’ NGO, a registered organisation that has been tirelessly working for over a decade to provide rescue services and assist impoverished families in Banihal subdivision.

Over 100 active volunteers are associated with teams such as Banihal Volunteers, Civil QRT Ramban, Himalayan QRT Ramsoo, QRT Khari, and Nowgam and Tethar volunteers.

These teams operate independently, relying solely on self-funding and public donations to sustain their efforts.

Beyond rescue operations, they extend support to underprivileged families, even assisting in organising marriages for poor girls.

A Mission Born from Tragedy

Muhammad Idrees Wani, the founder and president of Banihal Volunteers, recalls how the initiative was born out of personal loss.

His younger brother, Muhammad Rayees Wani, tragically lost his life on February 28, 2012, when shooting stones struck him at Khooni Nallah on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.

“After my brother’s death, I, along with a few young men, felt an urgent need to act. We began saving lives and assisting victims of accidents and landslides along the highway. Over time, more dedicated volunteers joined our cause, working selflessly for humanity,” Wani said.

Since then, the organisation has been an integral part of emergency response efforts, working closely with the Police, SDRF, fire services, and civil administration.

Their timely interventions have saved countless lives, ensuring immediate medical assistance to accident victims and swift transportation to hospitals without delay.

Round-the-Clock Vigilance

At any given time, 20 to 25 volunteers from Banihal Volunteers NGO remain on standby, covering the dangerous stretch from Banihal to Sher Bibi.

“As soon as we receive news of an accident or any other emergency - either through Police alerts, administrative sources, or our own network - we rush to the site without wasting a second,” Wani said.

General Secretary of Banihal Volunteers, Syed Mudasir Ahmed is among those deeply involved in the organisation’s operations.

He highlighted how volunteers from Ramban, Ramsoo, Magarkoot, and Banihal have undertaken countless rescue missions over the years, including in the treacherous river Chenab and Bishlari Nallah.

“With time, these teams have become more structured and efficient, ensuring swift response to emergencies,” he said.

Lifeline without Govt Support

Despite their life-saving work, Banihal Volunteers have not received any financial assistance from the government.

“In 2017, when we assisted in the rescue of Amarnath Yatra bus accident victims alongside Police and Army teams, the then Governor Narinder Nath Vohra announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh for purchasing rescue equipment. However, to this day, no financial assistance or equipment has been provided,” Mudasir said.

In the absence of official support, the organisation relies on its vehicles and a self-funded ambulance, acquired through public contributions, to reach accident sites.

Among the few organisations that have extended aid is Srinagar-based NGO ‘Athrout,’ which provided rescue equipment and oxygen concentrators.

Despite all odds, these volunteers continue their mission with unwavering determination.

“Our only purpose is to serve humanity for the pleasure of Almighty Allah,” Mudasir said, reflecting the undying spirit of these selfless warriors who risk their lives to save others on one of the most dangerous highways in the region.