Indian Army Rescues 32 Martial Arts Cadets Stranded on NH-44 Amid Heavy Snowfall

By Wani Majid

RAMBAN, January 23, 2026 — In a daring Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operation, the Indian Army’s 23 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) emerged as a lifeline for 32 martial arts cadets from the Warriors Taekwondo Academy who were caught in a life-threatening situation on National Highway 44.

The young athletes, along with their coaches and parents, found themselves immobilized near Nachlana after unprecedented snowfall paralyzed the arterial road, leaving them without access to food, water, or heating.

Recognizing the immediate danger posed by the plummeting temperatures, the “Guardians of the Highway” launched an emergency evacuation to bring the group to the safety of the Nachlana Army Camp.

Once inside the camp, the Army personnel provided the shivering children and their families with comprehensive care, including hot meals, drinking water, and warm clothing to combat the freezing conditions.

Medical teams also administered first aid to ensure all cadets were in stable health after their ordeal. This swift intervention not only secured the safety of the young athletes but also exemplified the Indian Army’s core values of compassion and its steadfast ethos of serving the nation during natural crises.

By transforming their camp into a sanctuary, the soldiers of 23 RR ensured that the harsh elements of nature were met with the unwavering warmth of human service.