Srinagar:
A Sub-Inspector of the Border Security Force (BSF) has been killed after being swept away in an avalanche in Kupwara district along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kashmir valley. Five Army and one BSF personnel are still missing as search and rescue operations continue.
The avalanche occurred at Farkiyan Gali early this morning.
"An avalanche struck one of our posts in Keran sector of the LoC in Kupwara district around 7.20 am," Lt Col JS Brar, spokesperson of the Army's Srinagar-based 15 Corps, said. He said that a joint team of the Army and BSF were clearing snow between their camp and an outpost when the avalanche struck. The body of the Sub-Inspector has been found.
Avalanche Rescue Teams have been launched by Army helicopters. It is, however, expected to be a difficult operation given the inclement weather and the difficult terrain.
The Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) has declared the higher reaches of the Kashmir valley, especially areas close to the LoC, as avalanche prone in view of the heavy snowfall in the first fortnight of this
month.
In February 2010, 17 Armymen were killed by an avalanche in Gulmarg while undergoing training for high-altitude warfare.
(With agency inputs)