Trekkers Abhinandan Gupta and Pranita Wala died during a trek in Bir Billing Himachal Pradesh as their dog Alpha guarded bodies after death
Police discovered the bodies of two individuals who tragically perished after slipping and falling in the snow in the Billing Valley of Himachal Pradesh.
Officials disclosed this on Wednesday, February 7th, noting that a loyal pet dog stood watch over them for nearly two days.
Who are trekkers Abhinandan Gupta and Pranita Wala who died during trek in Bir Billing Himachal Pradesh as dog guarded bodies after their death
"In Bir Billing, Himachal Pradesh, a touching scene unfolded. Two trackers lost their life , but their faithful German Shepherd stood watch for 2 days until help arrived. Even afterward, the dog's plaintive cries rejected food. Dogs, like this faithful companion, embody the… pic.twitter.com/wyLpRHWGSu
— Nikhil saini (@iNikhilsaini) February 8, 2024
The pair, comprising a woman and a male tourist, went missing on Sunday, February 4th. Search teams, scouring the area on Tuesday, February 6th, were alerted by the barking of a German Shepherd named Alpha.
Following the sound, they located the bodies along a walking trail, approximately three kilometers below the paragliding take-off point. Remarkably, Alpha had diligently guarded the bodies, which showed signs of wildlife attacks, until the rescue teams arrived.
After the bodies were recovered, the dog accompanied the teams on foot to Bir, where the deceased man’s family members took charge, according to police statements.
Victim’s Identity
The deceased were Identified as Abhinandan Gupta (30), a resident of Pathankot, and his companion, Pranita Wala (26), from Pune. They had arrived in Bir Billing, a renowned paragliding destination in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district, on Sunday afternoon, accompanied by Gupta’s faithful dog.
After parking their vehicle, they ventured on foot towards the paragliding take-off point. Concern arose when they failed to return to Chogan near Bir, prompting their friends to alert the authorities on Monday, February 5th.
Located at an elevation of 5,000 feet, Bir Billing is a popular spot for both trekking and paragliding enthusiasts. Veer Bahadur, the police chief of Kangra district, revealed that Gupta had been residing in the region for the past four years, primarily engaging in paragliding and trekking activities.
Two trekkers lost their lives due to cold at trekking site in Bir Billing, Himachal Pradesh, but their faithful dog, the German Shepherd, stood there for 2 days without any food and water until help arrived.#faithful #sad pic.twitter.com/t0Txs8XEJW
— Raajeev Chopra (@Raajeev_Chopra) February 8, 2024
He further explained that the woman, who had recently arrived from Pune, embarked on her journey shortly after a snowfall.
Police Investigation
Preliminary investigations suggest that the pair slipped on snow, sustaining injuries and succumbing to the extreme cold. Kangra ASP Veer Bahadur mentioned that the circumstances surrounding their demise would be revealed in the post-mortem report.
In a statement ASP Bahadur stated, “According to our initial investigation, a group of four individuals, including two women, initially set out in a car. However, when the car became inoperable at a certain point, they continued on foot.
“As the weather worsened, two members of the group wisely decided to turn back and seek assistance from locals. However, Gupta insisted on pressing forward, claiming familiarity with the route. Along with Pranita and their dog, they continued on their journey.”
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