Srinagar: At least six people were killed and five others injured when a massive avalanche struck the Srinagar-Leh highway on the Ladakh side of the Zojila Pass, trapping multiple vehicles under snow, officials said on Friday.

Earlier reports indicated no casualties, but rescue teams later found some vehicles completely buried under the debris. The injured were immediately shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The high-altitude Zojila Pass, situated at 11,575 feet, is a critical point on the 434-km Srinagar-Leh Highway (NH-1, formerly NH-1D), which links Jammu and Kashmir with Ladakh. The avalanche disrupted traffic, prompting authorities to launch extensive rescue and clearance operations.

A tunnel is currently under construction beneath the Zojila Pass to ensure all-weather, safe connectivity. The project will connect Sonamarg in Ganderbal district with Drass in Kargil, spanning 14.2 km with a single-tube, two-lane design. Once completed, it will be the longest road tunnel in Asia and, together with the operational Z-Morh Tunnel, will provide year-round, weather-proof access to Ladakh, supporting tourism, trade, and strategic logistics for the Indian Armed Forces.

This tunnel is part of a larger infrastructure push, with 31 road tunnels across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh being constructed at a combined cost of Rs 1.4 lakh crore (approx. $17.5 billion).

IANS