Kashmir avalanches kill 16 Indian soldiers

Kashmir avalanches kill 16 Indian soldiers

2012-02-24 11:18:10 GMT+7 (ICT)

SRINAGAR, KASHMIR (BNO NEWS) -- At least 16 Indian soldiers have been killed and nine others have been injured in two avalanches in Indian-administered Kashmir, officials said on Thursday.

The first avalanche hit the workshop area of the army brigade headquarters in the Gurez area of Bandipora district on Monday night. Thirteen soldiers died and three soldiers are still missing, while 13 others were rescued, the Indian Express reported.

Lt. Col J. S. Brar, a defense spokesman in Srinagar, said another avalanche hit an army post at Sonamarg in Ganderbal district. Three soldiers were killed, while six others, including two civil porters, were injured, the newspaper reported.

"This particular area is not normally avalanche prone and is cut off from the rest of the Valley in winter months," Brar said on Thursday. He added that rescue operations were hampered by heavy snowfall which continued through the day.

An official of the state's Disaster Management Cell said the avalanche damaged 25 Army vehicles and 17 barracks. Four abandoned residential houses and a school building were also damaged.

Avalanches are common in the disputed territory of Kashmir. Last month, eight soldiers were killed after an avalanche hit Kupwara district.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-02-24