Siachen avalanche: Chances of finding survivors remote

Jammu, Feb 04: The rescue teams from Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) are battling adverse weather conditions in search of missing soldiers in Siachen.

The officials undertaking the search operations say that the chances of finding any survivors are now very remote.

According to Ministry of Defence Spokesperson S D Goswami, search operations by specialised teams of Indian Army and the IAF have entered the second day on Thursday.

As reported by OneIndia earlier, at least 10 Army personnel from the Madras Regiment, including a Junior Commissioned Officer, were feared killed under a mass of snow after an avalanche hit a military post at Siachen Glacier in Jammu and Kashmir.

The soldiers were hit by the massive avalanche in the early hours of Tuesday (February 3).

"Specialised equipment was flown in to Leh on Thursday morning to further boost the rescue efforts. The glaciated area presents temperatures ranging from a minimum of minus 42 degrees in the night to maximum of minus 25 degrees during the day," the spokesperson said.

According to him, the rescue teams are braving adverse weather and effects of rarified atmosphere to locate and rescue survivors.

Lt Gen D S Hooda, Army Commander, Northern Command has expressed his grief on the tragic incident.

"It is a tragic event and we salute the soldiers who braved all challenges to guard our frontiers and made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty," Lt Gen Hooda said.

An Army official told OneIndia that the search operations will continue for some more time, despite adverse weather conditions.

"It's a sad day for all of us. Search operations will continue," the official said.

OneIndia News