4 soldiers killed in LoC avalanche

Srinagar, December 4

Four soldiers have been killed in two snow-related incidents along the LoC in Tangdhar and Gurez sectors of north Kashmir.

While three soldiers, including one from Jhajjar, were killed in Tangdhar in Kupwara district when an avalanche hit an Army post, a soldier was killed when a patrol team was stuck in a blizzard in Gurez sector of Bandipora. 

Srinagar-based defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said the rescue teams managed to locate and retrieve the victims. “Despite best efforts by the rescue and medical teams, three Army personnel in Tangdhar sector and one in Gurez sector succumbed,” Col Kalia said.

The soldiers were identified as Sepoy Amit, 28, of Mundsa village, Jhajjar, Haryana; Haviladar Rajendra Singh, 36, of Hardiya, Rajasthan; Sepoy Kamal Kumar, 21, of Sahawa village, Rajasthan, and Naik Akhil SS, 28, of Veeranakavu village, Kerala. Naik Akhil was killed in Gurez, and the others in Tangdhar.

Defence sources said in Gurez, a patrol team was trapped in the blizzard on Tuesday afternoon. “Naik Akhil while on a patrol was caught in a blizzard along LoC and owing to the inclement weather and high altitude, he developed severe medical condition. After first aid, he was evacuated to 92 Base Hospital at Badami Bagh Cantonment, Srinagar, where he succumbed,” the Army said.

In Tangdhar, a post manned by four soldiers of 2 Jat Regiment was hit by an avalanche around the same time. A soldier was airlifted to army base hospital in Srinagar for treatment.

Recent fatalities in J&K

• Nov 30: Two soldiers killed at Siachen glacier
• Nov 18: Four soldiers die at northern Siachen