Police in Ladakh have safely rescued four tourists from Uttar Pradesh who had gone missing during their trip to the Pangong Lake region, ending days of anxiety for their families.
The tourists, all from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, had reportedly lost contact with their families, prompting a missing persons alert. Acting on the information, police teams launched a focused search operation in harsh weather conditions, using technical inputs and last known location data.
Officials said the group had travelled to Pangong Lake in a private vehicle on January 9. While returning towards Leh, they inadvertently took the Leh–Manali road, which remains closed due to heavy snowfall. Their vehicle later met with a minor accident, forcing them to abandon it along the roadside.
Search teams first located the stranded vehicle near Sarchu and subsequently expanded the operation to adjoining areas, including Debring and Whisky Nalla. The tourists were eventually traced nearly 20 kilometres away, where they had taken shelter inside a hut to escape the freezing temperatures.
Police said the tourists initially spent two nights inside their vehicle, using its heating system to stay warm until the fuel supply was exhausted. Thereafter, they moved out in search of shelter, which ultimately helped them survive the extreme cold.
All four tourists were found in stable condition and were provided immediate assistance, including food, water and medical support. Arrangements have been made to escort them safely to Leh, from where they will be reunited with their families.
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