Kashmir: 3 soldiers missing in snow avalanche, 2 slip from mountain

Srinagar: Three soldiers have gone missing after a snow avalanche hit forward Army post in north Kashmir, where two more soldiers went missing after slipping from a mountain during the last 24 hours.An Army porter slipped to death from a mountain in the border town of Gurez in north Kashmir district of Bandipora.

Defence Ministry spokesperson Col Rajesh Kalia told UNI that a snow avalanche, triggered by snowfall since Monday, hit Army’s Mani Post at Bagtoo in Gurez. “Three jawans in the post have gone missing,” he said.He said search and rescue operation has been launched in the area to trace the missing soldiers.

“Two soldiers, who were part of a party, patrolling forward areas in Nowgam sector in Kupwara district, slipped from a mountain. Efforts are on to trace the missing soldiers,” Col Kalia added.A porter working with Army slipped to death from a mountain top due to slippery conditions following fresh snowfall in border town of Gurez on Monday.As many as 14 soldiers were killed in January this year in two snow avalanches which hit an Army post and patrol party in Gurez sector. (UNI)