Srinagar: Hundreds of tourists were stranded for several hours after a technical malfunction disrupted operations of the Gulmarg Gondola cable car service in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, triggering a large-scale rescue operation led by the Indian Army and multiple disaster response agencies.

The incident took place at Gulmarg, one of Kashmir’s most visited tourist destinations and home to one of the world’s highest operating cable car systems. Officials said the malfunction brought Gondola operations to an abrupt halt during peak tourist movement, leaving dozens of cabins suspended mid-air above steep mountainous terrain.

The sudden stoppage triggered panic among passengers, many of whom included families with children, elderly tourists and visitors unfamiliar with high-altitude rescue conditions. Videos shared online showed anxious tourists trapped inside cabins for long periods while rescue teams worked across difficult terrain to evacuate them safely.

Nearly 65 cabins affected after technical malfunction

According to officials, nearly 65 cabins became immobilised after the technical snag developed. Hundreds of tourists were believed to have been stranded across both phases of the Gondola service.

The Gulmarg Gondola operates in two sections. The first phase connects Gulmarg to Kongdoori, while the second phase links Kongdoori to the Apharwat ridge, a popular attraction for tourists and skiing enthusiasts visiting Kashmir.

Authorities immediately suspended Gondola operations after the malfunction was detected and activated emergency response protocols. Rescue operations were launched soon after with the involvement of the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local civil administration and personnel from the Army’s High Altitude Warfare School.

Rescue teams battle harsh terrain and weather

Officials said rescue personnel faced major challenges because of difficult mountain terrain, changing weather conditions and strong winds during the evacuation process. The large number of passengers trapped inside suspended cabins further complicated rescue efforts.

Trained teams used specialised mountain rescue techniques to reach stranded passengers and evacuate them in a phased and controlled manner. Army personnel played a key role in the operation because of their expertise in high-altitude rescue missions across Kashmir’s mountainous regions.

Teams continuously communicated with passengers and attempted to calm frightened tourists while carrying out rescue operations under strict safety procedures.

Initial updates suggested that more than 100 passengers had been rescued from over 20 cabins during the first phase of the operation. As rescue efforts continued through the day, authorities later confirmed that nearly 300 stranded tourists had been evacuated safely without any reported fatalities.

Omar Abdullah and Manoj Sinha monitor operation

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the administration was closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with agencies involved in the rescue effort.

He stated that trained emergency response teams had been deployed immediately and that all focus remained on ensuring the safe evacuation of stranded tourists.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also reviewed the situation and directed senior officials, police authorities and civil administration teams to supervise rescue operations personally.

Officials repeatedly assured the public that all Gondola cabins remained structurally stable throughout the incident. Authorities also appealed to families not to panic as rescue operations progressed cabin by cabin.

Emotional scenes unfold at tourist hotspot

The incident led to tense scenes at the tourist destination as families waited anxiously for updates about relatives trapped inside the cable cars. Several passengers reportedly became distressed after remaining suspended hundreds of feet above the ground for hours.

Gulmarg remains one of Jammu and Kashmir’s biggest tourism attractions and a major contributor to the region’s tourism economy. Located in Baramulla district of north Kashmir, the Gondola attracts tourists from across India and abroad throughout the year, especially during winter skiing seasons and summer travel months.

The cable car service offers visitors access to snow-covered slopes, trekking routes and panoramic Himalayan views. During peak tourist seasons, the infrastructure handles extremely heavy footfall.

Safety concerns raised after incident

The malfunction has once again raised concerns regarding maintenance standards and emergency preparedness at high-altitude tourist infrastructure sites.

Questions are now being raised over technical inspections, operational safeguards, passenger management systems and emergency evacuation readiness during periods of heavy tourist traffic.

Officials said technical experts would conduct a detailed inspection of the Gondola system before services resume fully. Authorities are expected to investigate whether technical failure, operational issues or weather-related conditions contributed to the disruption.

The incident also highlighted the critical role played by armed forces and disaster response agencies during emergencies in Jammu and Kashmir’s mountainous terrain. Rescue teams received widespread praise for successfully evacuating stranded tourists without casualties despite the difficult conditions.

Officials later confirmed that all stranded passengers had been rescued safely and restoration work on the Gondola system was underway. Further safety checks are expected before operations resume completely.