New Delhi: They call a dog a man’s best friend. Often, their loyalty has made it to books, folklore, mythology and public memory—be it Argos, Hachiko, Greyfriars Bobby, Waghya, or Balto and Togo.
Now, a poignant story has emerged from the upper reaches of Himachal Pradesh, wherein a pitbull refused to abandon two teenagers—both did not survive the inclement weather and hostile conditions—even in the midst of heavy snowfall, without food or water.
A four-day search operation in the Holi area in Bharmour subdivision of Chamba district ended with rescuers tracing the bodies of Viksit Rana, 19 and his 13-year-old cousin on 26 January. The duo had gone missing in the middle of a snowstorm.
The pet dog was found keeping watch over the 13-year-old’s body in the middle of a snowstorm. “The pet belonged to Viksit and was found keeping watch near his cousin’s body,” Bharmour MLA Janak Raj told the media.
SEARCH & RECOVERY OPERATION | SDRF
Late night on 24.01.2026, information was received from DDMA Chamba regarding two missing trekkers near Bharmani Mata Temple, Bharmour.
An SDRF team was mobilized at 12:27 AM the same night. @HPSDMA @ndmaindia @IAF_MCC @arjit_sen pic.twitter.com/3Bll1VRGKd
— HP-SDRF (@HP_SDRF) January 26, 2026
On Tuesday, as soon as the rescue team landed from the helicopter, they heard a dog barking under a tree. When they went closer, they saw the younger teen’s body lying there. They were surprised to find the pitbull sitting right beside him. When they tried to go near him, the dog started barking at them.
It was apparent that heavy snowfall, and freezing subzero temperatures were not enough to make the pet abandon the youngsters. For four long days and nights, it had not moved. Rescuers found the 13-year-old’s body covered in layers of snow. They also traced the body of the other cousin.
Later, the rescue team airlifted the pet dog, alongside the bodies, to Bharmour.
Bad weather
Viksit and his cousin had left home with their camping gear on 22 January to trek to the Bharmani Mata temple in Bharmour to record videos. But, the cousins were caught up in the middle of heavy snowstorms and had gone missing, losing contact with families and friends.
The Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Response Forces (HP-SDRF) received information from the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Chamba regarding the two missing trekkers on 24 January.
“Late night on 24 January, information was relayed regarding two missing trekkers near Bharmani Mata Temple, Bharmour. An SDRF team was mobilised at 12.27 am. The next day, IAF helicopters and SDRF drone were deployed but the trekkers remained untraceable. The rescue team halted at Mankota village,” Arijit Singh Thakur, SP, Himachal Pradesh SDRF, said.
The operation resumed the next day again with the SDRF team divided into heli and ground teams. The first team comprising five SDRF personnel and local guides was airdropped on the peak (Chutadiya side) where the trekkers were believed to be holed up.
The ground team, Thakur said, advanced on foot, amid snow-covered terrain, extreme cold, and avalanche risk.
“Some tents were spotted at 9.30 am. The first victim was located at 10 am and airlifted to Chaurasi temple helipad, followed by the second victim at 1.35 pm. The operation was closed at 1.47 pm,” the officer said.
The bodies have since been handed over to the families for the last rites. The pet was also returned to Viksit’s family.
#WATCH | Himachal Pradesh: The SDRF rescued a dog after four days in Bharmaur subdivision today. The dog guarded his owner's body in sub-zero temperatures until rescued by SDRF.
(Visual: SDRF) pic.twitter.com/cMADf9XZRC
— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2026
(Edited by Tony Rai)