A group of Wokingham school pupils have been airlifted from a remote part of Kashmir after becoming trapped following flash flooding in the Himalayas.

The group of 20 students from The Holt School in Holt Lane, Wokingham, and three teachers were trekking in Ladakh region when they became trapped on Tuesday, following heavy rain which led to swollen rivers and rock slides. 

They have since been airlifted to safety by the Indian Air Force, Kashmir officials said, including 13 trekkers who had to be left behind from the initial rescue operation due to nightfall.

Alistair Cole, from Adventure Lifesigns, confirmed the group of 20 students, three members of staff and five local staff were taking part in a three-week developmental expedition to India with the touring company. 

He said: "I can confirm that one of our expedition teams who were trekking in the Ladakh region this week became trapped due to the recent flashfloods in Northern India."

However he denied the "vast majority" of yesterday's BBC World Service correspondent Riyaz Masroor's report, which claimed a two-day search for the party had ensued.

He said: "I can confirm that at no time was the team lost. We have state of the art satellite tracking and communication equipment with our teams and knew exactly where they were at all times. 

 "There was no search initiated as they were in a known position. The team had to be split for the subsequent airlift that was commissioned as Ladakh is high altitude and helicopters in the region can only carry limited passengers.

"It was the lack of light, not weather that meant that the helicopter could not fly the remaining group out yesterday.

"This group have subsequently been picked up and are now back in Leh town. With regards to claims of injured students, these were either pre-existing stable medical conditions such as asthma or minor travellers’ diarrhoea."

He went on: "Safety is paramount on all of our expeditions. At no time was any of the group in danger.

"After the heavy rains began, they initially camped near the swollen Markha river and waited for the rains to subside and river levels to drop.

"We were in regular contact with the team and they had adequate supplies and camping equipment. Due to their imminent return to the UK, it was decided for speed, to air evacuate them back to Leh airport.

"We are grateful for the assistance of both the Indian authorities and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in this matter."

Keniesha Mills, 40, from Wokingham, Berkshire, was among those rescued on Thursday, the BBC reported. 

She told the broadcaster the rest of the Britons are safe, but four trekkers had minor injuries, though this has since been disputed by Mr Cole.

Several areas in Ladakh - a disputed territory between India and Pakistan that increasingly attracts adventure tourists - have suffered flooding in recent days.

More to follow.