40-Hour Rescue At 10,500 Feet: BRO Clears Road Under 6 Feet Snow, Evacuating 40 Troops, 20 Civilians In J&K
The operation was executed in close coordination with the Army, ensuring swift relief and the restoration. Image courtesy: RNA
Braving cold and snow that could literally send chills down the spine, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has once again proved why it is India’s frontline lifeline in hostile terrain. In a powerful display of endurance and precision engineering, the BRO has carried out a nearly 40-hour rescue and road clearance operation at 10,500 feet.
In a mission to save 60 stranded people, including 40 Army personnel, the BRO fought against sub-zero temperatures, whiteout conditions and towering walls of snow in Jammu and Kashmir’s snowbound Chattergala Pass. The teams restored a critical mountain road that had been cut off by heavy snowfall, ensuring zero casualties and swift evacuation.
BRO’s rescues Army personnel: What triggered the op?
Jammu and Kashmir has been witnessing winter chills and a heavy snowfall on January 23, 2026 added to the already affected concetivity, burying the 38-km Bhaderwah–Chattergala Pass road under 5–6 feet of snow. This stranded both civilians and Army personnel in the remote, hilly Doda district.
The situation was especially sensitive as the route is vital for military movement, civilian connectivity and supply lines in the region.
How did BRO operate at 10,500 feet amid sub-zero temperatures?
The 118 Road Construction Company (RCC) of the 35 Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) launched snow-clearance operations early on January 24, working round-the-clock for nearly 40 hours. According to Defence Ministry spokesperson Lt Colonel Suneel Bartwal, BRO personnel worked in 24×7 shifts, cut through a five-foot wall of snow.
Defence Ministry spokesperson added that the BRO team operated in conditions where weather can turn fatal within minutes By the evening of January 25, the route was reopened, enabling the safe evacuation of 20 civilians and 40 troops of 4 Rashtriya Rifles, along with weapons and essential stores.
How time became a critical factor in the operation?
The urgency was underscored by a tragic incident just a day earlier, when 10 Army soldiers lost their lives and 11 were injured after a bulletproof vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a gorge at Khanni Top, around 9,000 feet along the same axis. Several troops were injured.
Officials said prolonged exposure to extreme cold could have led to fatalities among those stranded, making the BRO’s rapid intervention crucial.
How BRO ensured zero casualties during the rescue?
The operation concluded at around 2.30 am on Monday (January 26, 2026) with zero casualties, a result of meticulous planning and close coordination with the Indian Army. Beyond clearing the road, BRO personnel assisted in evacuations, provided hot tea and immediate relief; and offered morale support to civilians who had lost hope.
“For us, the motto ‘Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam’ is not just a slogan, but a command,” The Indian Express quoted a senior BRO officer as saying.
Why is the Chattergala route important?
The Bhaderwah–Chattergala axis is not only a civilian lifeline but also holds strategic significance, as it connects Doda and Kathua districts. The pass is crucial for logistics and troop movement. Notably, the area has previously been exploited by terrorists infiltrating from across the International Border into the forests of Doda and Udhampur
Keeping this route open is vital for both national security and regional stability.
In another demonstration of efficiency, BRO teams restored the Rajouri–Kandi–Budhal road in the Pir Panjal region after it was blocked by up to three feet of snow. Key highlights of the work included 14-hour operation to resume traffic, restoration of movement for military, civilians and medical emergencies, 35 km stretch cleared and widened within 24 hours.
