Senior rescue official and retired general Syed Ata Hasnain said their efforts were “war-like”.
“By any means necessary, we have to get these brave people out,” he told reporters Friday afternoon, adding that “all resources” necessary were being used.
Hasnain said, “This is a war that is being fought to save the sons of India who are toiling hard in the mountains.” He said that the last phase was important.
“We will be very, very cautious in our further progress,” he said.
The area outside the tunnel is bustling, with worried relatives gathering and rescue teams stopping to pray at a Hindu temple at the entrance.