Avalanche: Search continues for missing Army men; weather hampers progress

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, February 22

Search continued for five armymen still buried under an avalanche at Namgia Dogri bordering Tibet on Friday despite strong winds and another bout of snowfall.    

Fresh snowfall set back progress made the previous day and winds picked up speed, slowing down search operations that entered its third day on Friday. Specialised mountaineers of the Dogra Scouts have joined the search operation.

An avalanche on Wednesday was triggered when the glacier near Namgia Dogri bordering Tibet slid, burying six soldiers of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles when 16 of them were on a routine patrol.

Meanwhile, the remains of Havildar Rakesh Kumar—only soldier so far pulled out of the snow—were airlifted to Bilaspur. He will be cremated with full military honours at his village Ghamarpur.

Snowslides at different locations on the national highway between Pooh and Karcham have affected traffic. The General Reserve Engineer Force has been asked to clear the road.