Gulmarg, May 26: In a remarkable display of leadership, courage and coordination, the High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) under the leadership of Maj Gen Puneet Doval played a pivotal and leading role in the successful rescue operations after the Gulmarg Gondola service was suspended following a technical fault.
Maj Gen Puneet Doval Commandant HAWS, along with HAWS teams, were the first responders to reach the site and establish a control centre, in coordination with 19 Division and Civil Administration, to coordinate the massive rescue effort involving the Indian Army, HAWS, SDRF, NDRF, J&K Police, district administration and local volunteers etc.
Which involved designated Teams moving downward from Phase-1 and others advancing upward from the Gondola base station. HAWS Team took position at Gondola Base where the Height Differential between ground and Cable Cars was the maximum.
Rescue teams were assigned different cabin cars, enabling swift evacuation of nearly 312 stranded tourists from around 60 to 65 gondola cabins in record time.
Officials said the operation was completed safely before last light due to effective coordination and teamwork. HAWS had recently rehearsed a similar contingency drill with the Gulmarg Development Authority, which significantly helped in executing the real-time rescue operation smoothly.
Maj Gen Puneet Doval personally led the operation from the front, motivating rescue teams and comforting stranded tourists as they were brought down safely. A pregnant woman was also rescued safely by senior HAWS officials during the operation.
Tourists and locals praised the professionalism, dedication and humanitarian spirit displayed by the HAWS teams and all rescue agencies involved in the mission.
