LEH: Four tourists from Uttar Pradesh, who had gone missing during a trip to Pangong Lake, were safely rescued in the Union Territory of Ladakh on Tuesday, police officials said.
The tourists – Yash Mittal, Shivam Chaudhary, Jaiveer Chaudhary and Shadanshu Faujdar from Agra – were on a trip to Ladakh and were reported missing by their families after they lost contact with them a few days back, the officials said.
Police acted swiftly and launched a coordinated search operation, leading to the safe recovery of the tourists who had lost their way and were trapped in a hut in harsh winter with sub-zero temperatures, the officials said.
They said the tourists had gone to Pangong Lake in their private vehicle on January 9 and mistakenly followed the Leh-Manali road, which is presently closed due to snowfall, while returning to Leh.
The police parties were fanned out, based on their last location towards Sarchu, and located their vehicle, which had met with a minor accident on the roadside, the officials said, adding the search was extended to adjoining areas, including Debring and Whisky Nalla.
They were found in a hut, some 20 km from their abandoned vehicle, the officials said, adding they had spent two nights inside the vehicle using its heating system before the fuel ran out.
The officials said all four were found in stable condition and were provided with the necessary aid, including food and water.
They will be handed over to their families on reaching Leh on Wednesday, the officials said. (PTI)