3 bodies retrieved from avalanche-hit site in Indian-controlled Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, March 1 (Xinhua) -- Three bodies were retrieved Thursday from an avalanche-hit site in Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.

The men went missing Saturday in mountainous Lolab area of frontier Kupwara district, about 110 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Bodies of three persons who went missing on Feb. 24 after they were hit by an avalanche at Guchibal Behak in Kupwara district, were recovered today by joint rescue teams of police, disaster response force and army," a police spokesman said. "The bodies will be handed over to their families."

Locals said on Saturday a group of five residents went in the upper reaches of their locality on a hunting spree but got stuck after being hit by an avalanche.

While two had a miraculous escape, the three people went missing.

"For the past six days the search for the missing persons was going on," Rafiq Ahmad, a local said.

Landslides and avalanches are often triggered from mountains during frequent rains and heavy snowfall in Indian-controlled Kashmir. Enditem