Astore (Special Representative): An avalanche hit a caravan of nomadic shepherds at Shontar Pass Astore leaving 9 people dead while 10 injured on Saturday.
The caravan of shepherds was coming to Astore from Azad Kashmir. Dozens of livestock were also killed in the tragic accident.
According to Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani, police and rescue teams from Astor headquarters were rushed to the accident site where they carried out a rescue operation.
According to DIG Tufail Ahmed, the rescue operation is going on in the area. Similarly, an emergency has been declared at DHQ Hospital Astore where the injured have been shifted for treatment.
According to a surviving woman of the accident, an avalanche fell on them when they were descending from the Shontar Top.
According to the G-B administration, all relief materials have been dispatched to the area.
Chief Minister G-B has expressed deep sorrow and grief over the tragic accident. He has given special instructions to the relevant authorities to ensure participation in the relief operations.
It is pertinent to note that caravans of nomads from Punjab come to Astore via Azad Kashmir with their livestock to spend the summer at Deosai as part of transhumance.