National
Chamoli Avalanche: PM Modi Evaluates Rescue Efforts as CM Dhami Arrives in Joshimath to Manage Situation
As of now, 47 workers have been rescued, and efforts continue at full speed to locate the remaining eight individuals. The injured have been airlifted to the Army Hospital in Joshimath for medical care.
CM Dhami expressed gratitude to PM Modi for the Centre’s unwavering support, noting on X, “Respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji contacted me to inquire about the rescue operation aimed at safely evacuating the workers trapped in Mana within Chamoli district.”
He added, “The Prime Minister also sought detailed information regarding the ongoing rain and snowfall in the state, assuring that the central government would extend all possible assistance in case of emergencies.”
Dhami arrived in Joshimath from Dehradun to monitor the situation and check on the injured before their transfer to the Army Hospital.
Rescue teams worked tirelessly on Saturday, successfully retrieving 14 additional workers from beneath the heavy snow. With roads beyond Lam Bagad obstructed by snow, authorities have concentrated on aerial rescue operations.
Two Indian Air Force (IAF) Mi-17 helicopters have been deployed for rescue missions from the Joshimath Base Camp to Badrinath Dham. One helicopter remains in operation while the recently rescued workers are transported to the Army Hospital.
Despite challenging weather conditions, more than 150 personnel from the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are diligently working on the mission.
CM Dhami has been closely monitoring developments, instructing officials to airlift critically injured workers to advanced medical facilities. He stated on X, “With the weather clearing, relief and rescue operations have picked up pace. With the blessings of Lord Badri Vishal and the dedicated efforts of rescue workers, we are taking every possible measure to ensure the safety of those trapped.”
Lieutenant Manoj Srivastava, PRO Defence, informed IANS, “According to the latest updates, weather conditions around Joshimath and Mana have improved today. The Indian Army has enlisted three civil helicopters for the smooth evacuation of the injured.” He added, “Rescue operations are ongoing, and we are hopeful that the remaining eight workers will soon be rescued.”
The avalanche buried eight containers and a hut where the workers, engaged in road construction, were staying. Approximately seven feet of snow has blanketed the area, complicating rescue efforts. The trapped individuals are from Uttarakhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir.
Authorities remain optimistic about rescuing the remaining workers as operations persist despite the harsh conditions.
The unfortunate incident occurred just 20 meters from Kedarnath while the helicopter was landing. Thankfully, the pilot emerged uninjured; an AIIMS spokesperson confirmed that the helicopter was there to retrieve a seriously ill patient. According to the AIIMS PRO, the crash took place during the landing process.
Although the helicopter’s tail rotor sustained damage, there were no injuries, and the pilot, along with one additional passenger on board, was safely rescued.
It’s noteworthy that the ‘Sanjeevani’ heli ambulance service for AIIMS Rishikesh was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 29, 2024. This marked the launch of the country’s first heli ambulance service for AIIMS, which was introduced online from Delhi alongside several health projects valued over ₹12,800 crore.
In September 2022, former Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had revealed plans for the heli ambulance at AIIMS Rishikesh. The service operates under a partnership between the Centre and the Uttarakhand government, each contributing 50 percent.
This helicopter crash isn’t the only incident during the ongoing Chardham pilgrimage in 2025; on May 8, another helicopter en route to Gangotri crashed near Gangani, resulting in the tragic loss of six lives, including five women.
The arrested individuals are Rahul Singh alias Kalu (20) from Thathi Sohal, Tarn Taran; Gurmukh Singh (21) from Sudhar Rajputan village, Amritsar; and Varinderpal Singh (32) from Akalgarh Dhaphian village, Amritsar.
DGP Yadav noted that two FIRs under the NDPS Act have been filed at Police Stations Gate Hakima and PS Verka. Investigations are ongoing to identify all connections within the smuggling ring.
Commissioner of Police (CP) Amritsar, Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, provided details of the first operation, stating that CIA-2 police teams arrested Rahul alias Kalu, recovering 510 grams of heroin and ₹30.18 lakh in cash, along with a counting machine from his residence in Anand Vihar, Amritsar. Initial investigations suggest that Rahul was in contact with a foreign-based drug smuggler named Tony German and was distributing heroin locally after receiving shipments across the border. A case (FIR No. 117, dated 16-05-2025) has been registered at Police Station Gate Hakima under sections 21-C and 25 of the NDPS Act.
In a separate operation, CP Bhullar reported the arrest of Gurmukh Singh and Varinderpal Singh by the Police Station Verka team. They were found with 500 grams of heroin, ₹15.19 lakh in drug proceeds, and a camera-equipped toy drone. The duo had created a concealed locker in a bed-box at a house in Akalgarh, where drug money was stored. The drone was reportedly being used for practice purposes.
Ongoing investigations may lead to further arrests and recoveries in the coming days. A case (FIR No. 40, dated 14-5-2025) has been filed under Sections 25 and 29 of the NDPS Act at Police Station Verka in Amritsar.
National
MEA Denies Rahul Gandhi’s Claim Regarding Jaishankar Briefing Pakistan on ‘Operation Sindoor’
The MEA’s XP Division stated, “The EAM indicated that we warned Pakistan at the beginning, which pertains to the early phase following the commencement of Operation Sindoor. This has been misrepresented as happening before the operation began, and we are calling out this erroneous portrayal.”
The MEA’s clarification came on the heels of Mr. Gandhi’s assertion that Jaishankar had committed a “crime” by allegedly notifying Pakistan in advance of the airstrikes.
Mr. Gandhi shared a video on his WhatsApp channel where Jaishankar is quoted saying, “At the start of the operation, we sent a message to Pakistan, informing them that we were targeting terrorist infrastructure and not military assets. Hence, the military had the option to stand down and avoid interference.”
In response, Gandhi commented on X: “Informing Pakistan at the beginning of our attack was a crime. EAM has publicly admitted this. 1. Who authorized it? 2. How many aircraft did our Air Force lose as a result?”
However, the government has dismissed these allegations as misleading. The Fact Check Unit of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) clarified that no admission was made by the EAM. Additionally, PIB denied claims that Jaishankar suggested Chinese satellites assisted Pakistan during its military standoff with India.
This political exchange follows Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory measure in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives.
AIIMS Helicopter Ambulance Crashes in Kedarnath; Pilot Unharmed, No Injuries Reported
Three Arrested with 1.01 kg of Heroin and ₹45.19 Lakh in Drug Money in Amritsar
MEA Denies Rahul Gandhi’s Claim Regarding Jaishankar Briefing Pakistan on ‘Operation Sindoor’
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