Fate Of Six Missing Warwan Residents Hangs In Balance

Srinagar, Feb 24: The fate of six persons from remote Warwan area of Kishtwar district, who are missing from Tuesday evening, hangs in the balance as authorities “assure aerial reconnaissance” to trace them along the snow-bound Margan Top in Anantnag district.

A delegation headed by Sarpanch of the area met Divisional Commissioner Jammu Dr. Raghav Langer for help to trace the missing persons from Choidraman Warwan.

“The Divisional Commissioner told us that the air force and army will carry out searches to trace the missing as soon as the weather improves,” Sarpanch of the area Azad Nabi Lone said.

Azad said the divisional commissioner asked if there are any shelters along the route. “I told him there are a few shelters on Margen top and Narbalan. There is a possibility of their survival if somehow the missing persons have reached these shelters. Otherwise chances of their survival are very rare,” he said.

Divisional Commissioner could be reached immediately for the comments.

Official sources said that amid fresh snowfall, the six persons had started their journey by foot through Margan top, a high mountain pass which connects Warwan Valley in Kishtwar district with the Anantnag district.

The missing persons, according to the Sarpanch include Ajaz Ahmad Koka son of Abdul Rehman Koka, Mohammad Akbar Koka son of Ghulam Qadir Koka, Ghulam Nabi son of Ghulam Qadir Koka, Gulzar Ahmad son of Ghulam Mohammad Koka, Manzoor Ahmad son of Ghulam Mohammad Koka and Idrees Ahmad son of Sunna ullah Dar, all residents of Choidraman Warwan.

The missing person had called their families at around 9 p.m. on Tuesday and informed them about moving through Margan Top. Since then there is no contact with them, they said.

Later authorities said that on Thursday they launched a “rescue mission” to search them at Margan Top in Anantnag.

“One team is proceeding by road alongwith snow cutter machine and JCB, headed by SDM. It is accompanied by Tehsildar, MED and NHIDCL officials,” Aamir Ali, Nodal Officer, SEOC, Disaster Management, said.

He said second team is moving by foot and comprises Army Rescue team and Local volunteers.
“Third is by helicopter from Larkipora, currently on standby, waiting for weather to improve,” he said.