Avalanche strikes Army camp; 2 soldiers dead, 4 hurt, 2 missing

DEHRADUN :  An avalanche on the Kumaon squad Army camp at Chhiyalekh in Pithoragarh district killed two soldiers on the spot, while four others seriously injured were rescued and search was on for the missing two soldiers.     The rescue operations were totally dependant on helicopters as the area was remote and at the height of over 3,000 m from the sea level. The bad weather was hampering rescue operations, the district information officer informed.    There were eight soldiers at the high altitude post when the snow mass fell on their camp, killing two on the spot. The Army chopper managed to rescue four soldiers while two were still believed buried under the snow and search was on for them, the DIO said.
Chief Minister Harish Rawat has expressed deep grief and concern over the tragedy that occurred in the Dharchula area, which is also his Assembly constituency and has asked the DM to coordinate rescue and relief operations in coordination with the Army officials.
It was expected that after primary treatment at the Pithoragarh hospital, the injured could be moved to Bareilly hospital.
(AGENCIES)