India, May 26 -- The Gulmarg Gondola will remain closed for three days to undergo critical maintenance after a major technical malfunction left 312 tourists stranded mid-air on Monday.

The crisis triggered a seven-hour rescue operation that concluded at 8.20pm on Monday under challenging weather conditions, including heavy rain and hailstorm.

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah has ordered a thorough inquiry into the incident, asserting that responsibility for any operational or mechanical lapses will be fixed and appropriate action taken.

Deputy chief minister Surinder Choudhary and local Tangmarg legislator Farooq Ahmad Shah personally monitored the ground situation, and a detailed report will be submitted to the chief min...