Last two days weather over the mountains of Kashmir suddenly turned inclement and snow and cold swept over the 400 kilometres long border line from Gulmarg to Gurez. Some of the known mountain passes which the terrorists from across the LoC have been frequently using are along this border. The army maintains strict vigil over these passes and foils all attempts made by the enemy. However, these are very dangerous passes and the greatest danger is of avalanches coming down from the mountains and sweeping everything before it. Many precious lives have been lost as these get buried under the avalanches. Two days back we have lost a JCO, a soldier and a porter in the higher reaches of Shamshabari mountain Range in North Kashmir near the Line of Control (LoC).
Snow avalanches are a common feature of winter in Kashmir especially on higher reaches. We have avalanche forecast and early warning mechanism in place. This should be used efficiently to avoid loss of life. Our troops deployed on higher reaches and vulnerable heights need more efficient and precise information about possible avalanches slides so as to avoid movement of men and material. The loss of precious lives by getting buried under avalanches is tragic and irreparable. As far as the question of infiltration is concerned, experience tells us that the highly motivated infiltrators are not deterred either by snow or blizzards or avalanches. They are determined to carry forward their mission which they call a religious mission. Therefore, the army and border security force have to be very vigilant but that does not mean that they should expose themselves to the wrath of nature in the shape of avalanches or landslides and mudslides.
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