Over 30 passengers were airlifted from Kargil to Srinagar today by the first flight of Kargil Courier Service, the only means connecting the frontier district with rest of the country during winter.
"AN-32 Kargil Courier Service of Indian Air Force airlifted 31 passengers from Kargil
to Srinagar," an official spokesperson said.
Kargil and Leh districts remain cut-off for six months during winter owing to heavy snowfall along the Zojila Pass which connects Kashmir with Ladakh via 434-km Srinagar-Leh national highway.
The highway was closed for traffic early this month.
The first Kargil Courier flight was originally planned for December 5, but could not operate due to continued bad weather.
The flight operated today with the 31 stranded passengers on board along with chief executive councilor, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Kargil, Kacho Ahmed Ali Khan, the spokesperson said.
However, the aircraft could not return to Kargil from Srinagar, due to inclement weather and therefore had to route to Chandigarh, he said, adding that the schedule for next flight of the courier service will be decided as soon as the weather improves.