Over 30 vehicles stranded amid snowfall in J&K's Kishtwar; rescue operation under way

More than 30 light motor vehicles were stranded after moderate snowfall in Sinthan top and Margan top in Kishtwar district on Sunday (March 15, 2026), prompting a joint rescue operation by police and civil administration, officials said.

The vehicles got stuck due to fresh snowfall and slippery road conditions at the high-altitude passes, disrupting traffic movement on the road connecting Kishtwar in Jammu with south Kashmir's Anantnag district, they said.

The officials said soon after receiving information, teams of the police, Army, and the civil administration rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation to ensure the safety of the stranded passengers.

Snow clearance machines were pressed into service from both Kishtwar and Anantnag sides, and efforts were underway to shift all vehicles to safer locations, they said.

All passengers were safe and were being assisted by the rescue teams, while continuous snowfall and low temperatures were making the operation challenging, they added.

Authorities have advised commuters to avoid travel on the Sinthan-Margan stretch of the road until weather conditions improve and the route is declared safe for movement.

Meanwhile, the traffic on Mughal road connecting the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu with south Kashmir's Shopian district was also suspended Sunday evening due to fresh snowfall at Pir Ki Gali and adjoining areas, the officials said.