5 Missing Rajasthan Trekkers Traced in Remote Bara Bhangal Valley, Rescue Teams Mobilized
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In a massive relief for mountain rescue authorities and anxious families, all five trekkers from Rajasthan who went missing in the treacherous Bara Bhangal valley of Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, have been successfully traced and confirmed safe on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The trekking expedition had lost communication lines on October 5 after severe blizzards and unseasonal snowfall struck the high-altitude Dhauladhar Himalayan ranges. Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Sankalp Gautam confirmed that administrative channels successfully established contact with the remote village settlement of Bara Bhangal, confirming that all five members took shelter in the village to ride out the extreme weather while emergency ground rescue teams and police units were dispatched to orchestrate their safe evacuation.
The Missing Group Identified: Rajasthan Trekkers Trapped by Sudden Blizzards
The stranded trekking contingent comprises five young professionals hailing from Rajasthan who embarked on the high-risk mountain route:
Trekker Profiles Confirmed: The Kangra district administration identified the five individuals as Ankur Malani, Satyam Sabu, Pawan, Shyam R., and Tarun Rathi, all aged between 28 and 35 years.
The High-Altitude Itinerary: The team commenced their alpine expedition from Bir (Billing) heading toward Rajgundha on October 5, with an itinerary requiring them to cross the formidable 4,700-meter-high Thamsar Pass to reach the isolated enclave of Bara Bhangal.
Snowstorm Strands Expedition: Rapidly deteriorating weather across the higher ridges on October 6 and 7 blanketed the pass and the Thamsar Glacier with heavy snow, dropping temperatures below freezing and cutting off conventional trail navigation.
The Treacherous Thamsar Pass: Why Bara Bhangal Valley Remains Isolated
Nestled between the imposing Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal mountain ranges in the Baijnath sub-division, Bara Bhangal is widely regarded as one of Himachal Pradesh's most remote inhabited valleys:
Strenuous Three-Day Ascent: Reaching Bara Bhangal demands an arduous, multi-day foot journey across narrow ridges, boulder fields, and glacier paths, with no motorable roads linking the settlement to mainland Kangra.
Extreme Weather Chokepoint: The route through Thamsar Pass is notorious for sudden blizzards, avalanches, and zero-visibility whiteouts that frequently trap even experienced mountaineers during seasonal weather transitions.
Ravi River Headwaters: The valley connects directly to the headwaters of the Ravi River, where rocky terrain and virtually non-existent cellular reception turn standard search and rescue missions into complex logistics challenges.
Ground Evacuation Underway: Kangra Administration Deploys Police and Rescue Convoys
Following confirmation that the trekkers are safe inside the village, administrative and disaster response forces are coordinating the return journey:
SDM Sankalp Gautam's Confirmation: Authorities established wireless contact confirming that the trekkers safely reached village shelter before the worst of the blizzard set in, avoiding exposure to open elements near the glacier.
Police and Local Rescuers Dispatched: Specialized police search teams alongside local high-altitude mountaineering guides have been sent into the valley corridor to assess trail safety across the snowy pass.
Health and Evacuation Priority: First responders are equipped with emergency medical kits, satellite communicators, and winter survival gear to ensure the five trekkers are safely escorted back through Rajgundha as soon as weather conditions stabilize.
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