Sunday, February 13 2005 12:46 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jammu: Amid inclement weather due to fresh snowfall and rains, Indian Air Force (IAF) today (Feb 13, 2005) pressed four choppers into service to airlift 300 passengers stranded on the 300-km long Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which was partially reopened for vehicular traffic, official sources said in Jammu.

The highway has been partially re-opened for vehicular traffic as Jawahar Tunnel, the main link between Srinagar and Jammu which was blocked due to snow, has been thrown open yesterday. All the 2000-odd Srinagar-bound stranded passengers have reached their homes, the sources said.

Nearly 700 Jammu-bound stranded passengers were also transported to Jammu yesterday leaving only 300, who were stranded in Banihal-Ramsoo stretch of the highway, they said.

To airlift these passengers to Jammu, the IAF has pressed into service four choppers since this morning, they said adding that this is the fourth day of rescue and relief operation undertaken by the Air Force.

However, fresh snowfall, rains and heavy cloudly weather are making IAF's operation difficult with choppers failing to land at Banihal today, the sources said.

The only surface link between Kashmir and rest of the country, Jawahar Tunnel is open for the traffic today and road stretch between Srinagar to Ramsoo is clear, but two to three major lanslides occurred in the area, they said.

Assisted by Army and police, Border Roads Organisation has restarted operation to clear blockades and fully reopen the highway for single or two-way traffic between Jammu and Srinagar, the sources added.