JKEMS 4×4 fleet ensures no patient left behind

Mansoor Peer
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26 Jan 2026

Specially deployed four-wheel-drive (4×4) ambulances under the Jammu and Kashmir Emergency Medical Services (JKEMS) have proved lifesaving for patients in snowbound and remote areas of the Union Territory following fresh snowfall. Officials said that in Shopian district, a 108 emergency 4×4 ambulance rescued three pregnant women from the snowbound villages of Shirmala, Sedow Check and Panjura amid heavy snowfall. One of the women from Shirmala was shifted safely to District Hospital (DH) Shopian, where she later delivered a healthy baby girl. In addition, a cardiac arrest patient from Naidgam and a trauma patient from Tukroo village were evacuated and shifted to DH Shopian using the 4×4 ambulance services. “The timely deployment of 4×4 ambulances under 108 services proved crucial during heavy snowfall, ensuring uninterrupted emergency medical services in difficult terrain,” said Mushtaq Ahmed, Project Head, JKEMS. In Kulgam district, a 4×4 ambulance deployed at Community Health Centre (CHC) DH Pora rescued and transported nine pregnant women from snowbound villages, including Manzgam, Gujjar Basti, DK Marg, Chimmer, Tangmarg, Arahbal and Avail. All patients were initially shifted to CHC DH Pora, of which four were later referred to DH Kulgam using the same vehicles. One cardiac patient and one unconscious patient were also evacuated to CHC DH Pora. In Anantnag district, a 4×4 ambulance stationed at Primary Health Centre (PHC) Qamar rescued three pregnant women from Hinggipora and Kapran villages. While two patients were shifted to PHC Qamar, one was referred to CHC Dooru for advanced care. In Larnoo area, the same vehicle rescued seven patients, including three pregnant women, and transported them safely to nearby health facilities. Similarly, a 4×4 ambulance deployed at Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Shangus rescued five patients from nearby villages and shifted them safely to SDH Shangus. In Char-i-Sharief area, 10 patients, most of them pregnant women, were rescued, while in Khag, six patients, including three pregnancy-related cases, were evacuated. In Kangan area of Ganderbal district, three pregnant women were rescued and shifted to DH Ganderbal. In frontier Tangdhar area of Kupwara district, a 4×4 ambulance shifted two pregnant women from Baterkoot and one chest pain patient to CHC Tangdhar. The Project Head, JKEMS said that the deployment of 108 Emergency Medical Services 4x4 ambulances has proved vital in ensuring uninterrupted emergency healthcare delivery across snowbound and difficult terrains during adverse weather conditions. He said that in the three harsh winter months, the 4/4 vehicles are deployed in snowbound and difficult areas across J&K under the CSR. Mushtaq said that a total of 23 four-wheel-drive ambulances have been deployed across Jammu and Kashmir, including 16 in Kashmir and seven in Jammu. He said that a total of 285 patients were served through 108 ambulance services during the two days of snowfall, including 185 patients via regular ambulances and 100 patients through specially deployed 4×4 vehicles. Despite harsh weather and difficult terrain, JKEMS continues to stand firm in its mission to provide prompt, reliable emergency services, placing patient safety and well-being above all.