JAMMU, Aug 27: A 38-year-old Hungarian trekker was rescued in a joint search operation by the Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF) from the snow-bound upper ranges of Machhail in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, a defence spokesman said on Saturday.
The solo traveller, Akkoes Vermes from Budapest, had lost his way in Umasi La Pass in Himalayan ranges while on a mountaineering expedition and was left exposed to inclement weather for five days, Jammu-based Army PRO Lt Col Devender Anand said.
Upholding the finest traditions of the Army of selfless service, he said, a team of the Rashtriya Rifles deployed in Dool and the IAF Udhampur, in coordination with the district administration, carried out 30-hour-long search and rescue operation in the upper reaches of Machhail, Paddar, which is snowbound and remote.
Related Posts:
“The team of the Indian Army recovered Vermes from the treacherous glaciated heights of Umasila in sumcham valley,” the officer said.
Lt Col Anand said the traveller was located by a joint effort of ground and aerial surveillance teams who conducted the search operation.
The foreigner was examined medically by a doctor of the Army and the district hospital at Kishtwar, which provided immediate medical assistance to him, he said.
Vermes thanked the Army for his timely rescue.
“I was in a very difficult situation…I am very thankful to the Indian army for finding and taking me to safety,” the tourist said in a message shared by the Army.
The spokesman said once the traveller was stable, a video call to the Hungarian embassy in Delhi was made by the Deputy Commissioner of Kishtwar to inform it about his well-being.
He said the efforts of the Army and the Air Force were highly appreciated by the district administration and the Hungarian embassy. (PTI)
