No traces of 5 soldiers missing after snowfall in North Kashmir

Srinagar, Dec 14: There is still no trace of five soldiers who went missing near Line of Control (LoC) in the Kupwara and Bandipora districts after heavy snowfall in north Kashmir on Tuesday. There seems bleak chances of their survival after remaining buried under snow for the third day today.

A number of rescue teams are on the job to trace the soldiers who are missing after snow, Defence Ministry spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia this morning. He said a snow avalanche hit Army’s Mani Post at Bagtoo in Gurez in which three soldiers were buried on Tuesday. 
He further said search and rescue operation was immediately launched in the area despite continued snowfall to trace the missing soldiers. There is about three to four feet of snow in the area. 
Mr Kalia said two soldiers, who were part of a party, patrolling forward areas in Nowgam sector in Kupwara district, slipped from a mountain. 
The spokesman said searches continued at both the places to rescue the soldiers despite intermittent snowfall for the past two days. A porter working with Army slipped to death from a mountain top due to slippery conditions following fresh snowfall in border town of Gurez on Monday. 
As many as 14 soldiers were killed in January this year in two snow avalanches which hit an Army post and patrol party in Gurez sector. UNI