Desperate rescue mission: Soldier saves bear trapped on dangerous snow cornice
by Ekta ChaubeyIn a heartwarming tale of courage, a soldier in a remote snow-covered post braved life-threatening conditions to rescue a young polar bear trapped with a tin box stuck around its neck.
The incident took place at a post cut off by 60 feet of snow in Tulai Valley of Gurez in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir on May 6 now going viral.
Visuals showed the bear roaming here and there whose head was stuck in a tin cane. The army was chasing the bear to catch and they were back at the post, the soldiers worked painstakingly to free the bear, carefully cutting the tin box off its neck without causing injury. After feeding and nursing Bahadur, they released him. To their surprise, the bear lingered for hours before disappearing.
According to reports, the bear, affectionately named Bahadur by the soldiers, was spotted on a precarious snow cornice. The bear, initially part of a family that used to visit the post at night, had gradually gained trust in the soldiers who provided food. Over time, it began visiting during the day but was eventually deserted by its mother, forcing it to fend for itself. The soldiers tied up their dogs to allow the bear to approach without fear, further building its confidence.
The rescue mission began when a post reported Bahadur wandering with the tin box tightly lodged around its neck, likely without food for days. Concerned for the bear’s survival but aware of the danger, the soldier decided to take six men and attempt a risky rescue operation.
From that day on, Bahadur became a beloved companion of the company, responding to his name and appearing whenever called. The daring rescue remains a testament to the bond between humans and wildlife, even in the harshest conditions.