Srinagar, February 11
Six Border Security Force personnel were killed while 13 others were rescued as an avalanche, the third in Jammu and Kashmir within a week, struck two forward posts near the Line of Control in Kupwara sector early today.
The avalanche, which struck the upper reaches of Farkiyan Gali in Tengdhar in the wee hours, buried two BSF bunkers housing 19 personnel of the force deployed there for guarding the borders, BSF Deputy Inspector General K. Srinivasan said.
He said while 13 jawans, including a sub-inspector were rescued, six others got trapped under the snow and were killed.
Bodies of all six jawans were recovered and one of them has been identified as constable Sumir Singh.
Of the rescued jawans, Mr Srinivasan said five had suffered minor injuries.
He said the upper reaches of Tangdhar recorded over nine-feet snow which triggered the avalanche.
There has also been disruption in the mobile services of the BSNL in the Kashmir valley for the past three days due to damage to the optical fibre cable.
JAMMU: With snow and landslide clearance operations going on war-footing, the 300-km Jammu-Srinagar national highway is still closed on the fifth day today for vehicular traffic with over 2,000 passengers stranded, traffic police sources said here.
Border Road Organisation personnel worked round-the-clock and cleared the Jawahar Tunnel area from 10-feet snow and connected Kashmir side upto Banihal, they said.
However, the Meteorological Department has warned that there is a possibility of more avalanches along the highway during next two or three days, they said.
The Indian Air Force helicopters, which have lifted over 12,000 troops and passengers between Kashmir and Jammu zones, continued their work today.
Helicopters of the IAF have been pressed into service for the second day to airlift passengers stranded on highway to Jammu and other places as highway is closed for fifth day today,” IAF official said.
Meanwhile, the Army has set up four relief camps where the stranded passengers were given free shelter, clothing, food and medicines.
Official reports said about 600 stranded passengers have fallen ill with weather-related problems between Banihal and Batote.
According to Mr Raman Bhalla, Minister of State for Transport and Food, free langars had been set up near the Jammu bus stand where the ration under public distribution system was being supplied free of cost.
The sources said in case three was no fresh snowfall or landslides, the highway may be opened for one-way traffic tomorrow.
Shimla:
With a slight rise in the temperature, the threat of avalanche has increased in the tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh.
Although minimum temperature is still sub-zero in the high hills and tribal areas, but rise of one to two degree celsius can increase the incidents of avalanche.
According to the met department, people living in the high hills and tribal areas have been advised to stay indoor. Meanwhile, the snow continues in these areas and rain in the mid hills.
Shimla recorded 6.6mm of rain last night. With this the total rainfall has crossed the 200mm mark during the season.
