Over 700 Tourists Rescued in AJK’s Largest-Ever Operation After Ratti Gali Cloudburst

Neelum / Ratti Gali – (News Desk) In a massive rescue operation following a sudden cloudburst at Ratti Gali, over 700 stranded tourists were safely evacuated to secure locations within 23 hours. The rescue mission was jointly conducted by Pakistan Army, local administration, Police, District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Tourism Department, Rescue 1122, and local volunteers.

Tourists had become stranded in the scenic valley after the cloudburst blocked access routes. During the night, they were provided with free shelter and meals at the Ratti Gali base camp by local authorities.

The operation was personally overseen by Minister for Information, Pir Mazhar Saeed Shah, who worked in coordination with the district administration and rescue agencies to ensure the safe evacuation of all tourists. After the successful operation, the rescued individuals were transported to safe locations including Athmuqam, Keran, and Sharda.

The tourists expressed gratitude to the AJK government and rescue teams for their timely response, hospitality, and effective handling of the emergency situation.

Minister Pir Mazhar Saeed Shah, who remained at the site throughout the rescue efforts, was among the last individuals to be airlifted after ensuring the safety of all tourists. Speaking to the media alongside the district administration, he praised the coordinated efforts and termed it “the largest and most successful rescue operation in Azad Kashmir’s recent history.”

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This operation stands as a testament to the commitment and capability of AJK’s emergency response framework in managing natural disasters and ensuring public safety.