Shikhar Dhawan expresses grief over Zojila Pass incident ahead of IPL 2026

Shikhar Dhawan mourns lives lost in Zojila Pass tragedy, pays tribute to victims — Former Indian cricket star is very sad about the recent snow avalanche on the Srinagar‑Leh highway at Zojila Pass. The disaster killed many people and trapped several vehicles in dangerous conditions.

At least 7 people died, and 5 were injured on Friday after a big avalanche hit the Srinagar‑Leh highway. The snow slide happened on the Ladakh side of Zojila Pass, trapping several passenger vehicles under the snow.

Talking about this, the former Indian opener said on X, "Very sad news from Zojila Pass. My thoughts are with the families who lost their loved ones. I pray for the safety of those still trapped 🙏."

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Dhawan is considered one of the most exciting and powerful players in the world. Like many left-handed batters, he has a special flair in his strokeplay. The opening batter is known for his aggressive style and is very popular with fans, especially for his famous kabaddi thigh slap celebration after taking a catch.

The former Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper has scored over 6,700 IPL runs in 222 matches, including 2 centuries and 51 fifties. Known for his experience, he continues to be an important and respected player among IPL veterans.

What happened in the Zojila Pass incident

A strong avalanche hit the high-altitude Zoji (la) Pass on Friday, killing at least six or seven people, injuring five, and leaving one person missing, who officials fear may also be dead. The accident happened near Zero Point at 3,528 meters (11,649 ft), when a passenger vehicle was caught in a huge snow slide.

Officials said the avalanche hit the vehicle with great force, burying it under deep snow and killing the passengers on the spot. Early reports said six people died, but later reports confirmed seven, as rescue work was still going on. Five passengers were rescued with injuries and taken to nearby hospitals. One person is still missing, and authorities think they may not have survived.

Rescue teams, including local authorities, police, disaster response teams, and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) workers, reached the site quickly. They started a big operation to rescue survivors, recover bodies, and clear the snow. The work was very hard because heavy snow made it difficult to see and move, said a police officer on the phone from the area.

Officials said that three to four vehicles, and maybe more, were buried under the avalanche, temporarily blocking the important Srinagar–Kargil highway.

Fans react to Dhawan’s emotional post

Fans expressed strong emotions after Shikhar Dhawan’s heartfelt post about the Zojila Pass tragedy. Many shared messages of support, sending condolences to the victims’ families and praising Dhawan for speaking out. Social media was full of posts showing solidarity, prayers for the injured, and appreciation for the cricketer’s care during this difficult time.

Some wrote, "Heartbreaking. Stay strong, Ladakh." Others commented, "Very unfortunate. May God help all who are trapped. The Army is there and trying its best."

Here is how the netizens reacted: