Roundup: 5 soldiers missing in Indian-controlled Kashmir avalanches

by Peerzada Arshad Hamid

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- At least five soldiers were missing Tuesday after avalanches hit army posts at two locations in Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said.

The avalanches struck in frontier Gurez and Nowgam sectors of Bandipora and Kupwara districts respectively.

"Two soldiers slipped down the slope in Nowgam sector of Kupwara and three went missing in Gurez of Bandipora district after being hit by avalanches," an Indian army official said.

"Following the incident, army pressed in rescue teams at both places to search the missing soldiers."

Indian army spokesman in Srinagar city Col. Rajesh Kalia told Xinhua that search and rescue operations to trace missing soldiers were going on at both locations.

Earlier this year, 14 Indian troopers were killed after avalanches hit them in Tulail of Gurez area in Bandipora district.

Indian-controlled Kashmir has a rugged terrain. Landslides and avalanches are often triggered from its mountains during frequent rains and heavy snowfall.

Incessant rains and snowfall have been going on in Indian-controlled Kashmir since Monday.

The upper reaches of the region received moderate snowfall, while plains were hit by light snowfall and rain.

The precipitation affected the flight operations at airport in Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Authorities have suspended movement of vehicular traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu highway in the wake of snow and rain. Traffic department officials said the decision to close the road was taken following landslides and drifting of stones at different places along the road.

The 294-km Srinagar-Jammu highway is the only road link connecting Muslim majority areas of the region to winter capital Jammu and the Indian states.

According to meteorological department officials, the present weather conditions in the regions were likely to continue until Thursday. Enditem