The rescue operation is on to evacuate more than 900 labourers and passengers stranded on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway for over a week now.

Among the trapped are government employees posted in Leh and Kargil and the labourers working on different infrastructure development projects in Leh and Kargil, including the Chutak hydel project, say officials.

According to Roads and Buildings Minister G M Saroori, around 100 labourers from Kishtawar and Doda districts of the state are stranded at Zojila Pass in Kargil district. The state government is providing them food and other essential items. So far, about 300 people have been rescued.

While officials say the road has almost been cleared on the Leh-Kargil stretch, a large number of vehicles are stranded on the Kargil-Srinagar stretch of the highway. Nearly 43 goods-laden trucks carrying ration and other supplies to the districts of Leh and Kargil, besides the vehicles ferrying passengers, are stuck.

Since November 10, when Kargil received the season’s first snowfall, the Srinagar-Leh highway has been closed.

“Our rescue and relief operation is in full swing. We will press the IAF aircraft into service in a few days,” said chairman, Kargil Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kacho Mohammad Ali Khan.