Hanging by a Wire (2026) Movie Script
1
We are at the foothills
of one of the most
beautiful areas of the world.
This is my home. I grew up here.
It's heaven on earth.
But it's isolated,
and it's not easy.
People walk the mountains.
They don't have roads.
For them, life is
in between those mountains.
Cable car in this area
is their lifeline.
Children use these cable cars
to go to their schools.
So they build these cable cars,
it is entirely
done by the locals.
But on a daily basis, they are
playing with their lives,
playing with
the lives of their children.
Anything could happen.
Eight people,
including six children,
are trapped inside a cable car
in the Pakistani Himalayas
after one of its
mile-long cables snapped.
The fate
of those eight people
is relying on
that one single cable.
It was terrible.
They are going to die.
It was
quite early in the morning.
The first information
flash on our screens.
The locals, they started
taking pictures and videos,
and they started
posting it on Facebook.
Eight people
were stranded up there,
six of them school kids.
It was showing
the name of my area, Allai.
If you are seeing the name
of your area
is flashing on the screens,
you would
definitely try a bit harder...
...to get it into the limelight.
So I geared up, and I started
traveling to that area.
For years, governments
have neglected these people.
And if I'm not there,
if I'm not making the news
about this incident,
then I know the police
is not going to be there.
The local administration
would not bother to be there.
Authorities would be moved
if there is a media
person to get them moved.
This is actually the point where
I started covering the story.
So the whole day we have
been covering that incident,
everyone was wondering
what is going to happen next.
It was almost
1,000 feet in the air.
Two of the cables had snapped,
leaving it hanging
by a single cable,
which was holding
the weight of the cable car,
and eight people inside it.
No one knew how long that cable
could hold for
before it too might snap.
I was getting
information from the locals.
They said,
"You are also from this area.
You should tell everyone.
Tell the world
that we want help."
And then something happened
that transformed the way
we could communicate the story.
There was a local
drone operator on scene,
and he began
to share his footage.
It was incredible.
To see them so clearly
hanging up there
was both terrifying
and extraordinary.
This footage,
it played a key role
to get international
media's attention.
Look at the screen.
This is what's
happening right now in Pakistan.
Eight people, including six
children,
are trapped in that chairlift.
Some breaking news
now in Pakistan.
But it is unclear
if a rescue is underway.
It was all over
the international media.
A lone cable car
hangs 900 feet over a ravine.
It's a race against time
to save the passengers
who were said to
have no drinking water...
They are about
1,000 feet up in the air there,
and those lives, Meg,
hanging in the balance...
All of a sudden,
there was a spotlight on
this part of Northern Pakistan
that had never happened before.
Of course, these children were
just on their way to school.
And this cable car ride,
which was surprising
when I learned about this,
by itself is part of
their daily and weekly lives.
The local administration
that was unbothered
in the initial stage,
they came to know
that it is not just confined
to the boundaries
of Pakistan now.
This high-wire
drama watched by the world.
These boys here
clinging on for dear life.
So it actually triggered
the authorities
to expedite the whole process.
My name
is Sonia Shamroz Khan,
and I'm district police chief.
I was commanding
that particular district.
Policing is my passion.
Policing is
literally my passion.
My husband used to say,
I love my work.
Our concern was to start rescue
operation as soon as possible
before anything
bad could happen.
I've three beautiful daughters,
and I can understand if
your kids are hanging
thousands of feet in the sky,
it's a difficult thing.
I was coordinating all these
efforts,
and I was in
the main headquarter.
Nazir, he was
basically my second in command.
Within half an hour,
they basically reached there.
But I told him
just to send videos,
just to find out what
is the situation over there.
And it was very,
like, alarming for me
when I saw
the videos and the clips.
They shared
a few video clips
of them from
inside the cable car.
It brought it home so vividly.
So there
was no solution
that they could
be retrieved alive.
They are going to die.
It was
such a stressful situation.
The crowd is quite charged.
This is DSP Nazir.
People were already
very anxious and frustrated.
Why they are not being rescued?
Why the rescue operation
is delayed?
The more it was getting delayed,
the more it was getting scarier
for the parents of those kids.
Government officials
are begging for patience,
but the villagers are
furious with the delays...
and one local man
has climbed on the cable
to carry out his own
rescue mission.
Locals, basically, they wanted
any method out of their concern
and out of their love for
the kids, they were desperate.
He was
carrying with him
a very strange-looking
contraption,
with which he hoped
to save the kids.
It was chaotic.
I sent orders
to get him off the cable
as soon as possible.
So my first instruction
was for these civilians
not to experiment.
In the background,
we were exploring many options.
My main concern was that any
rescue attempt had to be safe.
We could not risk the lives
of those kids stranded up there.
Locals kept on trying to
come up with their own plans
for a rescue operation.
Without our knowledge, they
contacted a cable car operator
who had done many such, like,
rescue operations in the past.
His name was Sahib Khan.
Sahib Khan just
wanted to rescue kids
using his conventional
or his traditional method.
And he was very, very confident.
Like, "I'll rescue all of them."
Our main objective was
to keep the cable intact...
to move it on the wire.
We didn't want to take risks
by adding in another person
on that wire.
So that was not
an option for us at that point.
It was not about
his social status,
or it's not
about any other thing.
It was like, we didn't
want to take risk.
What if he had failed?
What the crowd didn't
know was that all this time,
we had been
coordinating with army officials
to organize a rescue operation
using their helicopters.
Before midday,
I finally got word
that these helicopters were now
on their way to the cable car.
I've been a rescue
pilot for almost 20 years now.
This was one of
the most tricky, I would say.
I was actually
the first one to reach on site.
I was given very clear-cut order
that go, locate, reconnoiter...
...devise a plan.
People don't understand that
the first mission was basically
a reconnaissance mission.
That there was no plan of
evacuation.
It was basically how
to go about it.
The first pass was to
determine the wind direction.
That was a huge
challenge, actually.
If there is wind,
then everything is compounded.
The wire is also black.
It's very difficult
to locate wires in air.
My main aim was
that all individuals came back
because it was
such a tricky situation
that any small little
exuberance or carelessness
would have led to
disaster, actually.
Once I came, like,
really close overhead,
the cable car,
it started to rock.
It went into a rocking motion.
They attempted many times.
They would go near,
but immediately they would
withdraw themselves.
After continuous hovering
of two hours,
we saw that the choppers
are lowering something
on the top of the cable car.
Once the harnesses were given,
they could actually hook
themselves.
And then
they could be brought up.
There was a wire.
It was around
10 to 15 feet above.
So it was, like,
extreme risk involved.
Extreme risk.
The rescue cable,
there was always a chance
that even that our own cable
would actually get
entangled with the cable,
which was above the cable car.
Marcus,
this is one of those
heart-pounding circumstances.
What can you tell us about the
latest on this rescue operation?
Yeah. Diane, when you hear those
details about the air pressure
from the helicopters
causing the car to sway,
and it really gives you a sense
of just how delicate
this operation is.
Finally,
the boys got hold of that rope.
It was quite
exciting, actually, you know.
The plan, that it worked.
Our experiment
is successful.
Our method is at least working.
So we'll use the same method
to rescue the remaining kids.
They were trying
to lower that rope again.
Suddenly, the worst
thing happens.
That rope gets
tangled with the cable.
They desperately
tried to free that rope.
So they had to cut the rope.
The entire country's eyes
have been on this operation...
They are losing light rapidly.
All the focus is on trying
to get the people remaining off
before they lose light.
It's going to be a sundown
in about two hours from now,
which is going to make this
rescue even more, uh, difficult
as the sun sets.
Sunset was approaching,
and I knew that it was
going to be impossible
for the helicopters to continue
their mission in the darkness,
so I was exploring other
options to rescue these kids.
My name
is Muhammad Ali Swati.
People call me Adventure Boy
because I love adventure.
I knew I did not
want a regular job.
I love fashion
and I love modeling
because in my family,
I am best looking,
and I have a handsome body.
I have two businesses.
The first one
is a successful gym.
And also I am the owner
of world's highest zipline.
I believe he was
a good option for us.
That's why we... we called him.
I said, "Yes, I am
available for this operation.
You don't worry about this."
I knew that I cannot do
this rescue operation alone.
So that's why I called Ilyas.
For my zipline business,
we use the top safety
equipment in the world.
Ilyas and I tested
our harnesses, lanyards,
and most importantly,
our pulleys.
Our pulleys cost
thousands of dollars.
So,
what was the difference between
Ali Swati and Sahib Khan?
I mean, they were both
proposing the same method
to rescue the kids.
As far as Ali is concerned,
he had equipment,
money, experience.
Relatively,
he was a better option.
He was in another district,
and we had to coordinate
his traveling as well.
At 5:00 p.m.,
a heli arrived,
and then we were started
our journey towards cable car.
When they call me
for the rescue operation,
I thought about my parents.
When I was younger,
I applied in
Pakistan Army like my brothers.
I want to make
my family proud...
but unfortunately, I received
a letter I am not fit for army.
This letter was destroying me.
I felt I had let everyone down.
As the time was passing by,
things were becoming
very difficult.
By sunset, we were
able to rescue only one kid.
The government is failing.
From, like, eight, ten hours,
we are trying our best,
and we are not delivering
what we should be doing.
It was getting difficult for me.
With darkness
approaching, the helicopters
have been forced to land.
This could mean
they're going to be
stranded up there
throughout the night.
I was there on ground.
The weather was getting cold.
I knew that if
the kids have to spend the night
out there in the valley
with the wind crossing,
that would be, can be
dangerous for them till morning.
So it was...
It was a scary situation.
The cable car,
it was hanging on just one wire.
The remaining one could have
been snapped any time.
That was the risk.
It was just that we could
just pray that it just hold on.
And obviously, the relatives
and the parents of the kids,
they also realize
that time is going by,
and only one kid has
been rescued so far.
So they were worried. They were
the most difficult to handle.
Sahib Khan
and his cousin hiked
to the other side of the valley,
where there were fewer
authorities,
and decided to get on with it.
We were totally unaware
of this fact when he went there.
He just went by himself.
So the first thing in my mind
was, like,
"How come? He was not allowed."
When I reached site,
at that time, I am running
with my bags, with my equipment.
When I reached the top,
it was completely dark.
Everybody was shouting.
It was complete chaos.
And they all are
very hopeless at that time.
And then I checked the condition
of wire. It was finished.
It could break at any moment.
We were
totally unaware of this fact
when he went there
and he rescued the kid.
So after that, we asked him not
to take risk with his own life,
and as well as with the kids.
By 7:30 p.m.,
six people were
still stranded up there.
We were only thinking about
the worst.
Honestly, telling you.
Two children have
been rescued from a cable car
dangling 900 feet over
a valley in Northwest Pakistan,
as rescuers try to
get to others on board.
It felt like the kids
are living on borrowed time.
The hope here is that
the remaining cable won't snap,
so that is more reason
to focus on the land operation
that they're doing
right now and through the night.
You've to wonder if they're
going to be able
to get to all of them.
I told Ali, "Zip up and
we'll put you on the pulley,
harness the kids in the pulleys,
and then you bring them back."
He never hesitated for a second.
He's such a bold
and brave person.
At that time,
we have many issues.
Main issue is communication.
There was now
no cell phone service,
and at this time, the army
had no charged walkie-talkies.
We had to figure out a plan,
so that we could communicate
to the ground
while we were out there.
The basic plan
was I have one torch,
and I will
signal people on ground
with the help of torch
to start pulling the rope,
and then they pull me
and the boy to safety.
So this is what we decided
before sending him in,
that we can communicate
through these lights.
They are two guys
who really risked their life
on the cable
and they went there.
When me and Ilyas
started our journey on a wire...
we don't know what is
the now strength of wire.
After 50 feet,
I saw the condition of wire.
Wire was very damaged.
Ilyas
said to me, "Let's go back."
And I said, "No, Ilyas, I can't.
This is very difficult, I know.
But I have to save these kids."
Maybe if I started in a day,
maybe I take five to ten
minutes to reach the cable car.
But because of darkness
and the condition of cable,
so we took 30 minutes.
After that,
we see the cable car clearly.
Kids are shouting.
They are abusing us.
"Why are you putting more
weight on a wire? Are you idiot?
Why you want to kill us?"
Then I reach cable car, one man
is sitting on top of cable car.
I asked, "Who are you?"
He said, "I'm Sahib Khan."
And then I say,
"Brother, this is not safe.
You please come down."
Then he replied,
"You don't worry about me."
Sahib Khan and me are fighting,
and I said, "You are idiot,
you are bloody motherfucker."
Then I said, "Brother,
this is not the time to fight,
and I think
you just help us now."
Ilyas and Sahib Khan
got down into the cable car...
I started filming some video.
Then I tell Ilyas,
"Put the harness on the boys."
After the completion
of safety checks,
I said to Ilyas,
"Attach the boys one by one."
We attached three boys to me,
and we got onto the cable
to make our journey
back to the ground.
I don't know why
they are not pulling me.
Then after 30 minutes,
I decided that now I pull myself
with my hands.
That was
very difficult for me,
pulling myself
with three children.
After 90 minutes,
I was exhausted.
I let go.
I went backwards at high speed.
We were screaming.
We were going
to hit the cable car.
We all are going to die.
But suddenly, we stopped.
The people who pull me,
they don't know my hand
is stuck in the rope.
I was shouting,
"Please leave the rope."
But no one can hear us.
As we neared the ground, they
obviously heard my screams...
because they suddenly
let go of the rope.
This time we went
backward even faster.
I'm full of fear.
But again, we stopped.
We were this
close to the cable car.
People are hugging me.
People are kissing me,
and gave me a lot of love,
and their expressions
is very lovely.
There were still people
stranded out in the cable car.
Ilyas, Sahib Khan,
and three boys.
I knew that my
arm was fractured.
There was no way I could
make it back to the cable car.
I made a decision with the army
to send a Special Forces guy
onto the cable
to help with the rescue.
This commando
thankfully had a walkie-talkie.
We could communicate with him
while he was out there.
So some good news
tonight from Pakistan.
The joyful shouts "Praise God"
as an unlikely rescue operation
ends in stunning success.
It was a very
challenging operation,
and it was accomplished
miraculously, I would say.
That was a miracle, I would say.
Soldiers and locals
worked together
after more than 14 hours.
A harrowing ordeal for children
just trying to go to school.
Obviously, it was one of
the happiest moment of my life.
No doubt, it's one of
the happiest
and one of
the toughest days of my life.
All is well that ends well.
Like in this particular case,
locals, media, police, army.
Every person from
every walk of life,
they all came together.
I believe if we come together,
we can move mountains.
Ilyas, I gave him
a tight hug,
and I literally at
that time crying.
He did what was never imagined.
There are moments in everyone's
life that enough is enough,
we have to do either
this way or that way,
by hook or by crook.
That is something
I really respect.
That cable car
is abandoned now.
It's still hanging in the air
like a souvenir
for every one of us.
We are at the foothills
of one of the most
beautiful areas of the world.
This is my home. I grew up here.
It's heaven on earth.
But it's isolated,
and it's not easy.
People walk the mountains.
They don't have roads.
For them, life is
in between those mountains.
Cable car in this area
is their lifeline.
Children use these cable cars
to go to their schools.
So they build these cable cars,
it is entirely
done by the locals.
But on a daily basis, they are
playing with their lives,
playing with
the lives of their children.
Anything could happen.
Eight people,
including six children,
are trapped inside a cable car
in the Pakistani Himalayas
after one of its
mile-long cables snapped.
The fate
of those eight people
is relying on
that one single cable.
It was terrible.
They are going to die.
It was
quite early in the morning.
The first information
flash on our screens.
The locals, they started
taking pictures and videos,
and they started
posting it on Facebook.
Eight people
were stranded up there,
six of them school kids.
It was showing
the name of my area, Allai.
If you are seeing the name
of your area
is flashing on the screens,
you would
definitely try a bit harder...
...to get it into the limelight.
So I geared up, and I started
traveling to that area.
For years, governments
have neglected these people.
And if I'm not there,
if I'm not making the news
about this incident,
then I know the police
is not going to be there.
The local administration
would not bother to be there.
Authorities would be moved
if there is a media
person to get them moved.
This is actually the point where
I started covering the story.
So the whole day we have
been covering that incident,
everyone was wondering
what is going to happen next.
It was almost
1,000 feet in the air.
Two of the cables had snapped,
leaving it hanging
by a single cable,
which was holding
the weight of the cable car,
and eight people inside it.
No one knew how long that cable
could hold for
before it too might snap.
I was getting
information from the locals.
They said,
"You are also from this area.
You should tell everyone.
Tell the world
that we want help."
And then something happened
that transformed the way
we could communicate the story.
There was a local
drone operator on scene,
and he began
to share his footage.
It was incredible.
To see them so clearly
hanging up there
was both terrifying
and extraordinary.
This footage,
it played a key role
to get international
media's attention.
Look at the screen.
This is what's
happening right now in Pakistan.
Eight people, including six
children,
are trapped in that chairlift.
Some breaking news
now in Pakistan.
But it is unclear
if a rescue is underway.
It was all over
the international media.
A lone cable car
hangs 900 feet over a ravine.
It's a race against time
to save the passengers
who were said to
have no drinking water...
They are about
1,000 feet up in the air there,
and those lives, Meg,
hanging in the balance...
All of a sudden,
there was a spotlight on
this part of Northern Pakistan
that had never happened before.
Of course, these children were
just on their way to school.
And this cable car ride,
which was surprising
when I learned about this,
by itself is part of
their daily and weekly lives.
The local administration
that was unbothered
in the initial stage,
they came to know
that it is not just confined
to the boundaries
of Pakistan now.
This high-wire
drama watched by the world.
These boys here
clinging on for dear life.
So it actually triggered
the authorities
to expedite the whole process.
My name
is Sonia Shamroz Khan,
and I'm district police chief.
I was commanding
that particular district.
Policing is my passion.
Policing is
literally my passion.
My husband used to say,
I love my work.
Our concern was to start rescue
operation as soon as possible
before anything
bad could happen.
I've three beautiful daughters,
and I can understand if
your kids are hanging
thousands of feet in the sky,
it's a difficult thing.
I was coordinating all these
efforts,
and I was in
the main headquarter.
Nazir, he was
basically my second in command.
Within half an hour,
they basically reached there.
But I told him
just to send videos,
just to find out what
is the situation over there.
And it was very,
like, alarming for me
when I saw
the videos and the clips.
They shared
a few video clips
of them from
inside the cable car.
It brought it home so vividly.
So there
was no solution
that they could
be retrieved alive.
They are going to die.
It was
such a stressful situation.
The crowd is quite charged.
This is DSP Nazir.
People were already
very anxious and frustrated.
Why they are not being rescued?
Why the rescue operation
is delayed?
The more it was getting delayed,
the more it was getting scarier
for the parents of those kids.
Government officials
are begging for patience,
but the villagers are
furious with the delays...
and one local man
has climbed on the cable
to carry out his own
rescue mission.
Locals, basically, they wanted
any method out of their concern
and out of their love for
the kids, they were desperate.
He was
carrying with him
a very strange-looking
contraption,
with which he hoped
to save the kids.
It was chaotic.
I sent orders
to get him off the cable
as soon as possible.
So my first instruction
was for these civilians
not to experiment.
In the background,
we were exploring many options.
My main concern was that any
rescue attempt had to be safe.
We could not risk the lives
of those kids stranded up there.
Locals kept on trying to
come up with their own plans
for a rescue operation.
Without our knowledge, they
contacted a cable car operator
who had done many such, like,
rescue operations in the past.
His name was Sahib Khan.
Sahib Khan just
wanted to rescue kids
using his conventional
or his traditional method.
And he was very, very confident.
Like, "I'll rescue all of them."
Our main objective was
to keep the cable intact...
to move it on the wire.
We didn't want to take risks
by adding in another person
on that wire.
So that was not
an option for us at that point.
It was not about
his social status,
or it's not
about any other thing.
It was like, we didn't
want to take risk.
What if he had failed?
What the crowd didn't
know was that all this time,
we had been
coordinating with army officials
to organize a rescue operation
using their helicopters.
Before midday,
I finally got word
that these helicopters were now
on their way to the cable car.
I've been a rescue
pilot for almost 20 years now.
This was one of
the most tricky, I would say.
I was actually
the first one to reach on site.
I was given very clear-cut order
that go, locate, reconnoiter...
...devise a plan.
People don't understand that
the first mission was basically
a reconnaissance mission.
That there was no plan of
evacuation.
It was basically how
to go about it.
The first pass was to
determine the wind direction.
That was a huge
challenge, actually.
If there is wind,
then everything is compounded.
The wire is also black.
It's very difficult
to locate wires in air.
My main aim was
that all individuals came back
because it was
such a tricky situation
that any small little
exuberance or carelessness
would have led to
disaster, actually.
Once I came, like,
really close overhead,
the cable car,
it started to rock.
It went into a rocking motion.
They attempted many times.
They would go near,
but immediately they would
withdraw themselves.
After continuous hovering
of two hours,
we saw that the choppers
are lowering something
on the top of the cable car.
Once the harnesses were given,
they could actually hook
themselves.
And then
they could be brought up.
There was a wire.
It was around
10 to 15 feet above.
So it was, like,
extreme risk involved.
Extreme risk.
The rescue cable,
there was always a chance
that even that our own cable
would actually get
entangled with the cable,
which was above the cable car.
Marcus,
this is one of those
heart-pounding circumstances.
What can you tell us about the
latest on this rescue operation?
Yeah. Diane, when you hear those
details about the air pressure
from the helicopters
causing the car to sway,
and it really gives you a sense
of just how delicate
this operation is.
Finally,
the boys got hold of that rope.
It was quite
exciting, actually, you know.
The plan, that it worked.
Our experiment
is successful.
Our method is at least working.
So we'll use the same method
to rescue the remaining kids.
They were trying
to lower that rope again.
Suddenly, the worst
thing happens.
That rope gets
tangled with the cable.
They desperately
tried to free that rope.
So they had to cut the rope.
The entire country's eyes
have been on this operation...
They are losing light rapidly.
All the focus is on trying
to get the people remaining off
before they lose light.
It's going to be a sundown
in about two hours from now,
which is going to make this
rescue even more, uh, difficult
as the sun sets.
Sunset was approaching,
and I knew that it was
going to be impossible
for the helicopters to continue
their mission in the darkness,
so I was exploring other
options to rescue these kids.
My name
is Muhammad Ali Swati.
People call me Adventure Boy
because I love adventure.
I knew I did not
want a regular job.
I love fashion
and I love modeling
because in my family,
I am best looking,
and I have a handsome body.
I have two businesses.
The first one
is a successful gym.
And also I am the owner
of world's highest zipline.
I believe he was
a good option for us.
That's why we... we called him.
I said, "Yes, I am
available for this operation.
You don't worry about this."
I knew that I cannot do
this rescue operation alone.
So that's why I called Ilyas.
For my zipline business,
we use the top safety
equipment in the world.
Ilyas and I tested
our harnesses, lanyards,
and most importantly,
our pulleys.
Our pulleys cost
thousands of dollars.
So,
what was the difference between
Ali Swati and Sahib Khan?
I mean, they were both
proposing the same method
to rescue the kids.
As far as Ali is concerned,
he had equipment,
money, experience.
Relatively,
he was a better option.
He was in another district,
and we had to coordinate
his traveling as well.
At 5:00 p.m.,
a heli arrived,
and then we were started
our journey towards cable car.
When they call me
for the rescue operation,
I thought about my parents.
When I was younger,
I applied in
Pakistan Army like my brothers.
I want to make
my family proud...
but unfortunately, I received
a letter I am not fit for army.
This letter was destroying me.
I felt I had let everyone down.
As the time was passing by,
things were becoming
very difficult.
By sunset, we were
able to rescue only one kid.
The government is failing.
From, like, eight, ten hours,
we are trying our best,
and we are not delivering
what we should be doing.
It was getting difficult for me.
With darkness
approaching, the helicopters
have been forced to land.
This could mean
they're going to be
stranded up there
throughout the night.
I was there on ground.
The weather was getting cold.
I knew that if
the kids have to spend the night
out there in the valley
with the wind crossing,
that would be, can be
dangerous for them till morning.
So it was...
It was a scary situation.
The cable car,
it was hanging on just one wire.
The remaining one could have
been snapped any time.
That was the risk.
It was just that we could
just pray that it just hold on.
And obviously, the relatives
and the parents of the kids,
they also realize
that time is going by,
and only one kid has
been rescued so far.
So they were worried. They were
the most difficult to handle.
Sahib Khan
and his cousin hiked
to the other side of the valley,
where there were fewer
authorities,
and decided to get on with it.
We were totally unaware
of this fact when he went there.
He just went by himself.
So the first thing in my mind
was, like,
"How come? He was not allowed."
When I reached site,
at that time, I am running
with my bags, with my equipment.
When I reached the top,
it was completely dark.
Everybody was shouting.
It was complete chaos.
And they all are
very hopeless at that time.
And then I checked the condition
of wire. It was finished.
It could break at any moment.
We were
totally unaware of this fact
when he went there
and he rescued the kid.
So after that, we asked him not
to take risk with his own life,
and as well as with the kids.
By 7:30 p.m.,
six people were
still stranded up there.
We were only thinking about
the worst.
Honestly, telling you.
Two children have
been rescued from a cable car
dangling 900 feet over
a valley in Northwest Pakistan,
as rescuers try to
get to others on board.
It felt like the kids
are living on borrowed time.
The hope here is that
the remaining cable won't snap,
so that is more reason
to focus on the land operation
that they're doing
right now and through the night.
You've to wonder if they're
going to be able
to get to all of them.
I told Ali, "Zip up and
we'll put you on the pulley,
harness the kids in the pulleys,
and then you bring them back."
He never hesitated for a second.
He's such a bold
and brave person.
At that time,
we have many issues.
Main issue is communication.
There was now
no cell phone service,
and at this time, the army
had no charged walkie-talkies.
We had to figure out a plan,
so that we could communicate
to the ground
while we were out there.
The basic plan
was I have one torch,
and I will
signal people on ground
with the help of torch
to start pulling the rope,
and then they pull me
and the boy to safety.
So this is what we decided
before sending him in,
that we can communicate
through these lights.
They are two guys
who really risked their life
on the cable
and they went there.
When me and Ilyas
started our journey on a wire...
we don't know what is
the now strength of wire.
After 50 feet,
I saw the condition of wire.
Wire was very damaged.
Ilyas
said to me, "Let's go back."
And I said, "No, Ilyas, I can't.
This is very difficult, I know.
But I have to save these kids."
Maybe if I started in a day,
maybe I take five to ten
minutes to reach the cable car.
But because of darkness
and the condition of cable,
so we took 30 minutes.
After that,
we see the cable car clearly.
Kids are shouting.
They are abusing us.
"Why are you putting more
weight on a wire? Are you idiot?
Why you want to kill us?"
Then I reach cable car, one man
is sitting on top of cable car.
I asked, "Who are you?"
He said, "I'm Sahib Khan."
And then I say,
"Brother, this is not safe.
You please come down."
Then he replied,
"You don't worry about me."
Sahib Khan and me are fighting,
and I said, "You are idiot,
you are bloody motherfucker."
Then I said, "Brother,
this is not the time to fight,
and I think
you just help us now."
Ilyas and Sahib Khan
got down into the cable car...
I started filming some video.
Then I tell Ilyas,
"Put the harness on the boys."
After the completion
of safety checks,
I said to Ilyas,
"Attach the boys one by one."
We attached three boys to me,
and we got onto the cable
to make our journey
back to the ground.
I don't know why
they are not pulling me.
Then after 30 minutes,
I decided that now I pull myself
with my hands.
That was
very difficult for me,
pulling myself
with three children.
After 90 minutes,
I was exhausted.
I let go.
I went backwards at high speed.
We were screaming.
We were going
to hit the cable car.
We all are going to die.
But suddenly, we stopped.
The people who pull me,
they don't know my hand
is stuck in the rope.
I was shouting,
"Please leave the rope."
But no one can hear us.
As we neared the ground, they
obviously heard my screams...
because they suddenly
let go of the rope.
This time we went
backward even faster.
I'm full of fear.
But again, we stopped.
We were this
close to the cable car.
People are hugging me.
People are kissing me,
and gave me a lot of love,
and their expressions
is very lovely.
There were still people
stranded out in the cable car.
Ilyas, Sahib Khan,
and three boys.
I knew that my
arm was fractured.
There was no way I could
make it back to the cable car.
I made a decision with the army
to send a Special Forces guy
onto the cable
to help with the rescue.
This commando
thankfully had a walkie-talkie.
We could communicate with him
while he was out there.
So some good news
tonight from Pakistan.
The joyful shouts "Praise God"
as an unlikely rescue operation
ends in stunning success.
It was a very
challenging operation,
and it was accomplished
miraculously, I would say.
That was a miracle, I would say.
Soldiers and locals
worked together
after more than 14 hours.
A harrowing ordeal for children
just trying to go to school.
Obviously, it was one of
the happiest moment of my life.
No doubt, it's one of
the happiest
and one of
the toughest days of my life.
All is well that ends well.
Like in this particular case,
locals, media, police, army.
Every person from
every walk of life,
they all came together.
I believe if we come together,
we can move mountains.
Ilyas, I gave him
a tight hug,
and I literally at
that time crying.
He did what was never imagined.
There are moments in everyone's
life that enough is enough,
we have to do either
this way or that way,
by hook or by crook.
That is something
I really respect.
That cable car
is abandoned now.
It's still hanging in the air
like a souvenir
for every one of us.