Breaking | Bharmour (Chamba):
The snowbound rescue mission in Bharmour has finally come to an end.
What began as a desperate search in hostile mountains ended in grief — and an unforgettable story of loyalty.
The IAF–SDRF operation accomplished its task, battling nature at its cruelest. The Himalayas tested men, machines and resolve.
Two youths had gone missing near the sacred Bharmani Mata Temple. What should have been a routine trek turned fatal as heavy snowfall swallowed trails and landmarks.
Snow piled up by the feet. Temperatures plunged below freezing. Every step carried the risk of an avalanche.
SDRF teams were rushed in at midnight, without waiting for daylight. Because in the mountains, time decides life and death.
Helicopters airdropped specialised rescue teams near the Chutadiya side peak. Simultaneously, another team pushed forward on foot, cutting through ice, wind and fear.
At 9:30 am, rescue teams spotted tents buried in snow. The sight confirmed what they feared — they were close, but perhaps too late.
At 10 am, the first body was traced. Silence fell on the ridge. The youth was airlifted to the Chaurasi Temple helipad, ending hours of anxious waiting.
The search continued despite exhaustion and danger. At 1:35 pm, the second youth was located.
By 1:47 pm, the operation was formally closed. Yet, the mountains had guarded another story. For four days, a dog stood watch over its master’s body. No food. No human company. No warmth — only loyalty. The dog had accompanied the youths on the trek. When death struck, it refused to abandon Piyush.
Snowstorms battered the ridge. Night fell again and again. The dog stayed — guarding, waiting, believing.
When rescuers finally reached the spot, they found the “perennial guard” alive. Weak, exhausted, but still alert.
The dog was brought back safely with the rescue teams. Alive. Breathing. Faithful till the end.
The image spread rapidly across social media. It silenced arguments and stirred hearts.
Officials said the operation was executed in coordination with the Indian Air Force, SDRF, HPSDMA and NDMA.
It stood as a reminder of what trained response and courage can achieve in the high Himalayas.
Two young lives were lost to the mountains. But one story will outlive the snow — of a dog that chose loyalty over survival.
