Bilal Ahmad Ganie
Bilal Ganie
Sonamarg, J&K | February 9, 2025 – A massive fire broke out at Hotel Sunflower in Sonamarg around 1800 hrs today. The flames spread rapidly due to multiple LPG cylinder blasts and the presence of highly combustible materials like wood and polythene, engulfing nearby hotels and shops.
A joint effort by the Indian Army’s 34 Assam Rifles, CAPF, local residents, and the Fire & Emergency Services led to the successful containment of the fire by 2130 hrs. Four fire trucks were deployed to battle the flames in freezing temperatures.
Thankfully, there were no casualties, but the fire inflicted severe property damage, including:
13 small hotels completely destroyed
2 mid-sized hotels (7 rooms each) reduced to ashes
The financial loss is yet to be assessed, but it is expected to be substantial, impacting Sonamarg’s tourism-dependent economy.
34 Assam Rifles’ Heroic Role
The 34 Assam Rifles played a pivotal role in firefighting and evacuation efforts, ensuring minimal losses. Their contributions included:
Rescuing stranded shopkeepers and moving their goods to safety Helping firefighters combat the blaze in extreme the police in crowd control and preventing panic
In the wake of this disaster, locals have strongly demanded a dedicated Fire Station in Sonamarg. The delayed response due to the absence of local fire services worsened the destruction, highlighting the urgent need for better disaster preparedness.
The swift and selfless response of 34 Assam Rifles, CAPF, firefighters, and local volunteers was instrumental in averting a larger catastrophe. Their bravery and dedication deserve immense appreciation.(PTK)
The Kashmir Dialogues
M S Nazki
