Major General Manoj Joshi coordinates joint forces during high-altitude Gulmarg Gondola rescue operation

By Wani Majid

GULMARG, May 25, 2026 :- General Officer Commanding of the 19 Infantry Dagger Division, Major General Manoj Joshi, coordinated the field operations during the massive high-altitude rescue mission following a technical failure at the Gulmarg Gondola.

The incident occurred in the afternoon when a fault in the cable car’s gearbox caused nearly 65 cabins operating between the base station and Phase-I to come to a sudden halt, leaving over 300 tourists stranded mid-air.

Following immediate requests for assistance from the Cable Car Corporation and the Baramulla district administration, the Indian Army mobilized its specialized units alongside regional emergency services.

Major General Joshi confirmed that the military received information about the malfunction shortly after it occurred, prompting a swift and massive deployment of specialized forces. To counter the challenging conditions, eight mountain rescue teams and nine Snow Leopard rescue units were pressed into active service alongside the Jammu and Kashmir Police, State Disaster Response Force, and National Disaster Response Force.

The joint teams launched a systematic evacuation process, overcoming continuous rain and severe inclement weather in the mountainous terrain to retrieve passengers from the suspended cabins.

Throughout the intense operation, field teams maintained regular communication with the stranded passengers via megaphones to alleviate panic and provide continuous reassurance from the ground.

Major General Joshi monitored the progress closely, ensuring that advanced rescue equipment and All-Terrain Vehicles were utilized effectively to accelerate transport across the rugged landscape.

The comprehensive and well-coordinated intervention under his leadership ensured that all stranded tourists were successfully evacuated to safety without any casualties.