2 porters and soldiers among five killed in Kashmir

Srinagar Feb 7: Two porters and as many soldiers were among five people killed after they were buried alive under snow avalanches while more than two dozen houses and other structures were damaged in the Kashmir valley overnight.

A defence ministry spokesman said three soldiers and two civlians were bured alive after their post in Nowgam sector came under a huge snow avalanche.

However, army teams were immediately rushed to the area and the buried soliders and civilians were rescued in an injured condition.

The injured were admitted to hospital where one soldier died.

He said a group of three Road Opening Party (ROP) of General Reserve Engineering Force (GREF) came under a huge avalanche at Sadhna Pass, where more than 10 feet of snow was experienced during the past two days.

The army immediately launched an operation and rescued all the three in very critical condition.

The injured were admitted to hospital where one of them died.

A police spokesman said two porters Niyaz Mohammad and Mumtaz Ahmad, who were working as porters with NCA at Sadna Post were swept away by a snow avalanche.

Both were believed to be dead, he said adding search for the bodies was going on.

Spokesman said a Rifleman Vinod Kumar was buried alive under a snow avalanche at company post of 13 JAKLI located at Badi Bahak Kupwara.

Official sources said more than two dozen houses and other structures were damaged due to heavy snowfall.

UNI