Zojila avalanche kills 7, Srinagar-Leh highway shut

The Srinagar–Leh National Highway remained closed on Saturday after a massive avalanche struck Zojila Pass , killing seven people, injuring several others and burying multiple vehicles under deep snow, prompting a large-scale rescue and snow clearance operation.

The avalanche occurred on Friday afternoon near Zero Point , along the high-altitude stretch between Zero Point and Minimarg, a section known to be highly prone to avalanches. Officials said the sudden snow slide struck passenger vehicles travelling on the highway, trapping people beneath heavy snow.

Authorities confirmed that seven people were killed , including a ten-year-old child , while five others were rescued with injuries and shifted to nearby medical facilities for treatment. Initial reports indicated several vehicles were caught in the avalanche, with close to a dozen cars buried under snow when the incident occurred.

Rescue teams immediately launched an operation to pull out survivors and search for anyone still trapped. Officials said more than 100 personnel from multiple agencies were deployed to the site as part of the emergency response.

Personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police , Indian Army , Central Reserve Police Force , Ladakh Police , the State Disaster Response Force , and the Border Roads Organisation are involved in rescue efforts and in clearing the highway of avalanche debris.

Officials said several vehicles were either partially or completely buried when the avalanche swept across the road, forcing rescuers to dig through thick layers of snow to reach the trapped passengers. The incident has also highlighted the dangers of travelling through the high mountain pass during late winter when unstable snow conditions frequently trigger avalanches.

The Srinagar–Leh highway , which passes through the Himalayan Zojila Pass and serves as a crucial link between the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh, often faces disruptions during heavy snowfall. Authorities said snow clearance operations are underway , and traffic will be allowed only after the route is fully cleared and declared safe for movement.