Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Fresh avalanche in Kashmir Valley kills jawan

Last updated on: February 09, 2010 17:58 IST

A fresh avalanche hit Kashmir Valley on Tuesday, killing an army jawan in Kupwara district; a day after 17 armymen met a similar fate during a winter warfare training exercise.

The avalanche hit Tangdhar, 145 kms from Srinagar, around 0345 hours trapping 14 army personnel, a defence spokesman said.

All the 14 army personnel were extricated from the deep snow but one of them died later.

A massive avalanche had slammed the popular ski resort of Gulmarg on Monday, killing 17 soldiers and injuring an equal number when the troops were in the midst of a winter warfare training on steep slopes about 70km from Srinagar.

The avalanche came hurtling down on the 60-strong combat troops as they were scaling the icy walls of high-altitude Khilanmarg peak in near zero visibility.

Image: A house is seen buried under snow in the Bakerwal Chak village, about 90 kms from Srinagar on Tuesday
Photograph: Danish Ismail / Reuters

© Copyright 2024 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.