Massive search operation launched as Amaranth Yatri goes missing

Ganderbal , Jul 12: A massive search and rescue operation has been launched at Railpathri near Cheshma Point to trace a missing Amarnath Yatri who is suspected to have fallen into a nallah during the pilgrimage.

The missing pilgrim has been identified as Surinder Pal Arora, son of Gain Chand Arora from Ludhiana.

Surinder Pal Arora, a resident of Ludhiana, was trekking from Brarimarg to Railpathri in a group of seven when, around midnight, high-altitude sickness gripped him, police said.

Arora “exhibited erratic behaviour, started running up and down, took cold water showers, and later jumped from the railing near Z-Morh, near a glacier,” they said.

Soon after the report was received, Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs) of J&K Armed Police, SDRF, ITBP, and local police swung into action and launched a joint operation in the area which was underway.

“One Yatri, namely Surinder Pal Arora son of Gain Chand Arora from Ludhiana, was trekking down from Burimarg to Railpathri around 12:30 during night in a group of seven Persons. Due to high altitude sickness exhibited erratic behaviour, started running up and down, took cold water showers, later jumped from the railing near Z-Morh, near a glacier,” Ganderbal police said in a statement.

Police teams, Multiple Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs), including SDRF, NDRF, JKAP, CRP, VHGS, and other agencies launched a search operation in coordinated manner to retrieve his body. Drone services were also inducted to trace out the missing person.