Shimla, March 10,
In a renewed effort to locate 28-year-old Akshay Sahani, who went missing during the Churdhar trek on February 28, the Sirmaur district administration has enlisted renowned mountaineer Baljeet Kaur to lead a ten-member rescue team. Kaur and her team departed from Sangrah subdivision on Sunday, bringing fresh hope to the search operation for the missing trekker.
Akshay Sahani, a blogger from Panchkula, Haryana, had embarked on the trek with his friend Vikram Singh to visit the temple of local deity Sri Sirgul Maharaj on Mahashivratri. While Singh reached the temple, Sahani lost his way amid heavy snowfall and dense fog. Despite a joint rescue operation by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and mountaineers from the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS), Manali, the search was suspended last Thursday due to harsh weather conditions.
The decision to involve Baljeet Kaur, a seasoned mountaineer with extensive rescue experience, showcases the administration’s commitment to finding Sahani. Sangrah Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Sudhir Kumar stated, “Baljeet Kaur’s expertise is crucial in navigating the challenging terrain and weather. Her team is focusing on areas where Sahani was last seen.”
Kaur, known for her high-altitude rescue missions, expressed determination to trace Sahani. “The conditions are tough, but we are prepared. Our priority is to cover the areas where Akshay might have lost his way,” she said. Poor network connectivity has prevented direct communication with Sahani’s family, but his mother confirmed she was informed about Kaur’s involvement and expressed gratitude for the renewed efforts.
The Churdhar trek, spanning Sirmaur and Shimla districts, is notoriously difficult, especially in winter. The Nohradhar route, where Sahani began his trek, is particularly risky due to multiple paths and dense forests. Mountaineering Instructor Som Dutt, part of the earlier rescue team, warned against trekking in such conditions. “Despite advisories, many youths underestimate the dangers,” he said.
The administration has urged trekkers to avoid the area until the weather improves. Meanwhile, Baljeet Kaur’s team continues its mission, braving the harsh conditions to trace Akshay Sahani. Her involvement has reignited hope for Sahani’s family, who await news of their missing loved one.
