Chamba's Heartbreaking Winter Tragedy: Social Media Ambition Turns Deadly in Barmani Snow
In a story that has sent shockwaves through the region, two young relatives from Chamba met a tragic end in the snow-laden heights of the Barmani range, their adventure driven by a youthful passion for creating cinematic social media reels. What began as an exciting journey into the winter wonderland quickly descended into one of the most devastating incidents witnessed in Himachal Pradesh this season, highlighting the perilous intersection of adventure and unpreparedness.
Ignored Warnings and a Fateful Journey
On January 22, despite a yellow alert issued by the administration warning of impending snowfall, 19-year-old Biksit Rana and his 13-year-old relative, Ayus, set out towards Barmani Temple. Biksit, known for his active involvement in making and posting videos on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, brought Ayus along to assist him in capturing footage for their social media channels. After visiting the temple, the duo ventured further into the upper reaches, an area notorious for becoming treacherous after fresh snowfall.
As night fell, the weather deteriorated dramatically, with heavy snow blanketing the mountains and visibility dropping to near-zero. By the morning of January 23, when the boys failed to return home, panic gripped their families, who immediately alerted the authorities. Officials later confirmed that snow accumulation had reached approximately 2 feet at Barmani Temple, while the higher altitudes where the boys were believed to be filming were buried under more than 3 feet of snow.
Chaotic Rescue Efforts Amidst Relentless Snowfall
The administration launched an extensive rescue operation involving police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel, trained mountaineers, and local volunteers. However, the mission faced repeated disruptions due to another yellow alert and fresh snowfall on January 23, making movement extremely risky. Amid this chaos, Biksit managed to place a chilling phone call to his family, his voice weak and fading. He reported that his fingers had gone numb and were no longer functional, preventing him from sending his location. He also informed them that Ayus was growing weaker and that he was attempting to bring him back using a sleeping bag.
On January 24, heavy haze further reduced visibility, complicating rescue efforts. The administration explored deploying drones, but most local operators—who typically used them for wedding shoots—had migrated to Pathankot and Nurpur due to the harsh winter. An official drone was available, but the lack of an experienced operator rendered it ineffective. With no helicopter available at that stage, hopes began to dim significantly.
Air Force Intervention and a Loyal Companion's Vigil
Relief finally arrived on January 25 when the Indian Air Force deployed two helicopters along with SDRF teams. Multiple sorties were attempted despite the dangerous terrain and unpredictable weather. In a deeply moving moment, one helicopter spotted a body lying in the snow with a dog standing faithfully beside it. Ayus had brought his pet dogs along, and one of them refused to allow rescuers near the body for some time, staying loyally at the side of its young owner.
The body was eventually recovered and airlifted, and in a second sortie, one of the dogs was rescued, though the other remained untraceable. Later, in another daring operation that showcased the exceptional skill of the helicopter pilot, the rescue team located and recovered the second body from the unforgiving slopes, as confirmed by SDM Bharmour, Vikas Sharma.
A Region Mourns Lost Dreams and Unwavering Loyalty
By Monday afternoon, both bodies were handed over to their devastated families. The last rites are scheduled for Tuesday, as the region mourns not only the loss of two young lives but also the dreams and passions that fueled their ill-fated adventure. This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by harsh winter conditions and the importance of heeding weather warnings. The haunting story of loyalty displayed by Ayus's dog will long be remembered, adding a poignant layer to this heartbreaking tale from the snowy peaks of Chamba.
