Srinagar, May 25 -- Srinagar- A routine Gondola ride in Gulmarg turned into a mid-air ordeal on Monday after a technical snag left around 300 tourists hanging hundreds of feet above ground for hours before they were rescued safely.

The snag developed around noon, forcing suspension of operations on both phases of the cable car service, regarded as Asia's highest ropeway.

Officials said several cabins remained suspended at a height of nearly 500 feet above the ground, making the rescue operation difficult and time-consuming. Heavy rainfall in the area further hampered evacuation efforts.

Personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police and the Army jointly carried out the operation...