More bodies found at avalanche site

The bodies of four soldiers, who were missing after an avalanche hit an army patrol in Gurez area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, were recovered on Friday, taking the toll to 14.

“Four bodies of soldiers were recovered from the avalanche site by rescue teams in Gurez on Friday. The death toll of army personnel has now risen to 14,” a police official said.

Two avalanches had hit army personnel at Neeru village near the Line of Control in Tulail area of Gurez on Wednesday night, trapping several soldiers under the debris.

While the bodies of 10 soldiers were recovered and seven were rescued on Thursday, the remaining bodies were traced by the special rescue teams of the army on Friday.

An army official told DH that the risk of avalanches was growing in the area as it has received seven to 10 feet snow since Tuesday. The district administration has also sounded an alert, asking people to remain indoors and not venture out in to avalanche-prone areas.
 
On Wednesday, four members of a family were buried alive after an avalanche hit their house in Badugam village of Gurez Valley.

On February 23, 2012, a massive avalanche had struck the ‘workshop area’ of the 109 Infantry Brigade Dawar area of Gurez sector, in which 13 soldiers, including four junior commissioned officers, had lost their lives and as many had been rescued.

Meanwhile, a 60-year-old died after he came under an avalanche in the Uri sector of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

Police said the victim was hit when he had ventured out of his home on Thursday night.  Nearly 20 people, including 15 army personnel, have died in avalanches since Wednesday caused by heavy snowfall across the Kashmir Valley.