Reflects courage, swiftness, professionalism of disaster response agencies: Rajnath Singh lauds Gulmarg Gondola rescue operation
New Delhi, May 26
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday lauded the successful efforts of security and rescue teams that were involved in the rescue of stranded tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Gulmarg after a technical malfunction left several Gondola car cabins stranded mid-air for around seven hours.
In an 'X' post, the Defence Minister said that the joint rescue team, which comprised the Indian Army, J&K Police, NDRF, SDRF, and civil administration, carried out the operation with efficiency and resolve. He further considered the success of rescue operation as a reflection of swiftness, professionalism, courage, and coordination of country's disaster response agencies.
"The successful rescue of 300 tourists stranded in cable cars in Gulmarg reflects the swiftness, professionalism, courage, and coordination of our disaster response agencies. A joint rescue team comprising the Indian Army, J&K Police, NDRF, SDRF, and civil administration carried out the challenging operation with efficiency and resolve. The nation acknowledges and applauses the dedication and service of all personnel involved in this rescue operation," the 'X' post from Singh said.
Around 300 tourists stranded in cable cars were safely evacuated after a nearly six-hour coordinated effort by multiple agencies in Jammu and Kashmir's Gulmarg on Monday.
The large-scale rescue effort was launched after a technical malfunction led to several Gondola cabins being stranded. Officials said that out of 65 cable cars, 62 were affected, while three were not in operation at the time. Of these, 52 cabins were occupied, and 10 were empty.
According to the Jammu and Kashmir Police, 286 people were safely evacuated in total, with 148 rescued from one side of the system and 138 from the other as operations continued in phases.
Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat said that a massive multi-agency rescue operation successfully evacuated stranded tourists after a technical snag developed in the Gulmarg Gondola.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Genuine kudos to all agencies involved. Those 6 hours must have been terrifying for the families waiting below. 🙏 It's refreshing to see Central and state forces, plus civil admin, coordinating seamlessly—no politics, just service. However, I hope J&K Tourism ensures better emergency protocols at such attractions. Imagine if this had happened in peak season with hundreds more up there?
I'm a tourist from Canada who rode the Gulmarg gondola a few years ago—amazing views but it always felt like a single-point failure waiting to happen. Great job by the rescue teams acting fast. But honestly, having 62/65 cabins knocked out? That's a systemic safety gap. Kudos for today's success; let's work on preventing tomorrow's crisis.
"Swiftness, professionalism, courage, and coordination"—Rajnath ji said it perfectly. 🎯 When I see our Army and NDRF working together with local police, it gives me goosebumps. This is the true picture of new India: capable, responsive, and caring for every citizen and visitor. Tourists must feel safe in Kashmir again, and this operation proves we are ready.
Respect to every single rescuer who worked those 6 hours. From a safety engineering standpoint, though, a technical malfunction taking out 95% of cabins is a massive red flag. Yes, manage the emergency well—but also ensure independent safety audits for all cable cars in India. Tourists' lives shouldn't depend on last-minute heroics. Still, hats off to the teams on ground.
K We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.