Army called for rescue operation in calamity hit Murree

Islamabad: Federal government on Saturday called Pakistan Army for rescue operation as dozens of tourists froze to death after their vehicles were stranded amid heavy snowfall and traffic congestion in the country’s most favorite hill station Murree.

According to details, rescue operations by Pakistan Army and other civil-armed forces are underway in the calamity hit Murree.

Rescue authorities confirmed that at least 21 people were froze to death after heavy snowfall covered their vehicles completely.

To avoid further casualties, the administration has closed the road from Islamabad to Murree while platoons of the armed forces have been called in for rescue efforts, while Rangers and Frontier Corps will be deployed on an emergency basis.

Earlier today, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed shared the shocking development after more than 125,000 vehicles entered the mountain resort town which caused a severe traffic jam.

اسلام آباد : 8 جنوری
مری جانے والے سیاحوں کے لئے اہم پیغام https://t.co/Tc0IG0EDvh@GovtofPakistan @PTVNewsOfficial pic.twitter.com/FntGcTQZFZ

— Sheikh Rashid Ahmed (@ShkhRasheed) January 8, 2022

The administration also warned the citizens not to leave their homes in severe weather or turn to Murree as severe weather conditions are likely to continue till late at night.

The Punjab government has declared Murree a calamity hit region and declared an emergency.

وزیراعلیٰ @UsmanAKBuzdar کا مری میں ایمرجنسی کےنفاذ کا اعلان: مری کو آفت زدہ قراردےدیا

•مری اور ملحقہ علاقوں میں تمام ریسٹ ہاؤسز اور سرکاری اداروں کوسیاحوں کیلئےکھول دیاگیاہے
•وزیراعلی نےاپنا ہیلی کاپٹر بھی ریسکیوسرگرمیوں کےلئےدےدیاموسم بہترہوتے ہی امدادی سرگرمیوں میں حصہ لےگا pic.twitter.com/o5sdTH8lD8

— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) January 8, 2022

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Bazdar has ordered to open state-owned rest houses and public offices for stranded tourists after the situation deteriorated.

Buzdar while ordering to expedite the rescue operation for the safe evacuation of the people trapped in Murree said that all resources should be utilized to evacuate the tourists to safer places, necessary relief items should also be provided to the tourists.

He also directed to send additional machinery and staff from Rawalpindi and other cities to the calamity-hit region.

مری کےعلاقوں میں تمام اداروں کو برف میں پھنسے شہریوں اور گاڑیوں کو ریسکیو کرنے اور بحفاظت علاقے سے نکالنے کے عمل کو تیز کرنے اور راولپنڈی سے مزید مشینری اور امدادی سامان بھجوانے کےاحکامات دئیےہیں

گزشتہ رات 23 ہزار سے زائد گاڑیاں علاقے سے نکالی گئیں اور یہ ریسکیو آپریشن جاری ہے

— Usman Buzdar (@UsmanAKBuzdar) January 8, 2022