SRINAGAR: With further improvement in the weather, search operations to trace five soldiers, missing since Tuesday after heavy snowfall near the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir, have been intensified.
Several parties of security forces are conducting search operations to trace the missing soldiers, Defence Ministry spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said on Saturday. So far no breakthrough has been achieved, he said.
There was very less chance of their survival after remaining buried under several feet snow for the fifth day today.
He said three soldiers went missing after a snow avalanche hit Army’s Mani Post at Bagtoo in Gurez on Tuesday.
Search and rescue operation was immediately launched in the area despite continued snowfall to trace the missing soldiers. There is about three to four feet of snow in the area.
He said two more soldiers, who were part of a party, patrolling forward areas in Nowgam sector in Kupwara district, slipped from a mountain. However, there was no trace of missing soldiers.
A porter working with Army slipped to death from a mountain top due to slippery conditions following fresh snowfall in border town of Gurez on Monday.
In January this year 14 soldiers were killed in two snow avalanches which hit an Army post and patrol party in Gurez sector. (AGENCIES)
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