30 rescued, one dead in Kashmir avalanche

Srinagar, Feb 8: The Jammu and Kashmir police today rescued 30 people buried under a snow avalanche in Gujjar Pati area on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway early this morning.

''The operation, also joined by the Army, was still on and we have recovered one body so far'', a police spokesman told to the sources. However, official sources said three bodies have been recovered while several others were still buried under the snow. The police spokesman said many people, including women and children, were buried alive after their 'kothhars' came under huge snow avalanche in village Gulab Bagh, Gujjar Pati area on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway near Lower Monda.

He said despite ten feet of snow in the area, police parties were rushed to the affected village. So far 30 people have been rescued and taken to safer places. One body has also been recovered, he said, adding that the operation was still on when the reports last came in.

A defence ministry spokesman told to the sources that two companies of the Army have been rushed to the area to carry out rescue operations.

''It was snowing heavily in the area and we are heading for the village,'' he said.

UNI