In a heartbreaking incident in Himachal Pradesh’s Billing Valley, the bodies of two tourists were discovered after an extensive search by rescue teams. The victims, identified as 30-year-old Abhinandan Gupta from Pathankot and his friend 26-year-old Pranita Wala from Pune, had gone missing on Sunday while exploring the picturesque destination known for paragliding.
The rescue teams, guided by the persistent barks of a loyal German Shepherd named Alpha, located the bodies three kilometres below the paragliding take-off point. Astonishingly, the pet dog had stood guard over the deceased pair for nearly two days. Unfortunately, the bodies showed signs of a possible wildlife attack, adding a tragic dimension to the incident.
The tourists had arrived in Bir Billing on Sunday afternoon, travelling in a private car with Gupta’s dog. After parking their vehicle, they embarked on foot towards the paragliding take-off point but failed to return, prompting friends to report them missing on Monday.
The rescue operation launched by the police revealed the grim discovery on Tuesday. The preliminary investigation suggests that both individuals slipped in the snow, sustained injuries, and succumbed to the extreme cold.
Abhinandan Gupta had been residing in a rented house near Chaugan in Bir for the past five years, while Pranita Wala had recently arrived in the area. The devoted pet dog, Alpha, accompanied the rescue teams to Bir on foot, where he was handed over to Gupta’s family. The local authorities continue to investigate the case, awaiting the autopsy report for a comprehensive understanding of the unfortunate event.
