Heartbreaking Snow Tragedy in Chamba: Pitbull's Unwavering Loyalty Moves Nation
In a poignant display of canine devotion that has captured hearts across India, a pitbull named Jonu stood guard for four days over the frozen bodies of two young cousins in Himachal Pradesh's Chamba district. The tragic incident unfolded in the snow-covered Barmani range, where 19-year-old Viksit and 13-year-old Piyush lost their lives while attempting to shoot a video reel amidst treacherous winter conditions.
The Final Vigil: Jonu's Unyielding Watch
When Indian Air Force pilots and mountain rescue teams finally reached the remote hilltop on Monday, they discovered a scene that would haunt them forever. The two boys lay frozen to death, with Jonu standing faithfully beside them, paws buried deep in snow. Despite hunger, thirst, and freezing temperatures that had claimed his young companions, the pitbull refused to abandon his post.
For over thirty minutes, the rescue team attempted to coax Jonu away from the bodies. The famished and exhausted dog remained alert and protective, as if waiting for the boys to wake up and call him. Eventually, perhaps sensing the rescuers meant no harm, Jonu allowed himself to be carried away—though he continued watching from a distance, unmoving yet vigilant.
A Bond Forged in Childhood
The tragic story reveals deeper layers of family connection and hardship. Piyush had been living with Viksit's family for years because his own father suffers from mental health issues and cannot adequately support their eight-member household. The boys had grown up alongside two pitbull puppies gifted to them by Viksit's father, Sanjay Rana, who passed away last year.
"Wherever they went, the pitbulls followed—not because they were trained to, but because they felt they belonged," explained Sanjiv Kumar, sarpanch of Sanchuiane village which includes Malkota where the boys lived.
The family typically migrated to lower regions during winter months, but had stayed back this year for reasons that remain unclear. The second pitbull that accompanied the boys on their fateful trek last Thursday remains missing.
The Fateful Expedition
On January 22nd, Viksit and Piyush set out for the snow-laden Barmani range, equipped with a smartphone their mother had gifted them months earlier. The youngsters had recently begun vlogging, hoping their voices could reach further than their feet ever would. They trekked to Barmani Temple and ventured into upper reaches known to become dangerous after snowfall.
Despite a yellow alert for snowfall that day, the boys continued their expedition. That night, weather conditions deteriorated dramatically, with heavy snow blanketing the mountains under more than three feet of accumulation.
Desperate Rescue Efforts
When the boys failed to return home on January 23rd, panic set in. Their families contacted local authorities, triggering a massive rescue operation involving police, State Disaster Response Force teams, mountaineers, and local volunteers. Fresh snowfall made the mission extremely hazardous.
On that same day, in what would be his final communication, Viksit managed to place a chilling phone call to his family. Speaking in a weak voice, he described how his fingers had grown too numb to send his location. Gasping for breath, he reported that Piyush was growing weaker and that he was trying to "bring him back by using a sleeping bag."
Challenges in the Rescue Operation
The following days presented mounting challenges for rescue teams. Visibility dropped further on January 24th, and while officials considered using drones, most local operators had moved to Pathankot and Nurpur due to the harsh winter. An official drone was available, but its operator lacked sufficient experience for such conditions.
With no helicopter immediately available, hopes began to dim. Finally, on January 25th, the IAF deployed two helicopters that attempted multiple sorties despite dangerous weather. The breakthrough came on January 26th morning when a helicopter spotted a body lying in snow with a dog standing beside it.
Final Recovery and Aftermath
Pilots guided ground teams to the location, where they retrieved one body and had it flown out. During the second sortie, rescuers managed to retrieve Jonu. In another daring operation, helicopter pilots flew dangerously close to terrain until they spotted the second victim.
By Monday afternoon, both bodies were handed over to their grieving families. The last rites were performed on Tuesday, marking the tragic conclusion to a story that began with youthful ambition and ended with heartbreaking loss.
A Viral Testament to Loyalty
A video capturing Jonu's final moments with the boys has been circulating widely on social media, moving countless viewers with its raw depiction of canine loyalty. Rescue team members themselves were deeply affected by both the youngsters' deaths and the dog's unwavering devotion.
The incident serves as a sobering reminder of nature's unpredictability and the profound bonds that can exist between humans and animals. As Chamba mourns the loss of two young lives, Jonu's steadfast vigil stands as a testament to loyalty that transcends even death.
