Jammu, Aug. 18 -- Arif Rashid, an ambulance driver from Kijiyai village in Jammu and Kashmir, played a central role in saving the lives of more than 50 people after a cloudburst hit the Paddar region of Kishtwar on August 14 during the annual Machail Yatra.

When the disaster struck around noon, Arif was stationed near the yatra route as part of routine emergency service. As mud, rocks, and debris began sliding down the mountains, chaos broke out among the thousands of pilgrims moving along the path.

Arif managed to escape being caught in the landslide, but instead of stepping away, he ran toward those trapped.

One of the first people he noticed was an elderly woman stuck under the mud. With no equipment, Arif pulled her out using only ...