Avalanche kills 2 in Indian-controlled Kashmir

Two people were killed Thursday after being hit by an avalanche in Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.

The avalanche struck at Naristan hills of Tral town, 81 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Two young men identified as a 22-year-old Mohammad Yousuf Gojar and a 32-year-old Mohammad Yousuf were buried under avalanche at Mushkadajan forest Naristan here," a police official posted in Tral said.

"The duo had gone to collect firewood."

Soon after the avalanche struck, locals rushed to the spot to carry out rescue work.

"The bodies have been retrieved and handed over to their legal heirs," the police official said.

Earlier this month, 10 Indian troopers were buried under an avalanche on Siachen Glacier near the Line of Control (LoC) in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

It took several days for the military to retrieve their bodies.

Kashmir has a rugged terrain. Landslides and avalanches are often triggered from its mountains during frequent rains and heavy snow the region receives. Endit