Srinagar, Feb 27 (IANS): The army has rescued 38 people stranded due to heavy snowfall and avalanches in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district, a defence spokesman said Thursday.

Lt. Col. N.N. Joshi told IANS that around 9.30 p.m. Wednesday, soldiers deployed at Nasta Chhun Pass received information that six vehicles with 35 men, two women and a child were stranded due to heavy snowfall and ice on the road as well as three avalanches.

The vehicles were moving from Chowkibal to Tangdhar in Kupwara district.

Heavy snowfall and ice had completely blocked the movement of traffic.

Braving all odds, the avalanche rescue team deployed at Nasta Chhun Pass moved to the location of the avalanche despite inclement weather, blizzards and night conditions to help the stranded passengers, the defence spokesman said.

The stranded passengers were rescued and the road was cleared for traffic by 1 a.m. Thursday.

The stranded vehicles and passengers were safely brought to Nasta Chhun Pass and provided medical care and refreshments by the army.