Kashmir: Avalanche, blizzard kill 4 soldiers in Kupwara, Bandipore

Three Army personnel died after an avalanche hit a post at Tangdhar close to the LoC

Army avalanche Representational image

Four Indian Army personnel died on Wednesday due to avalanche and blizzard at two different places in north Kashmir.

According to Army spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia, three Army personnel died after an avalanche hit a post at Tangdhar close to the Line of Control in Kupwara. Another soldier lost his life after an Army patrol was caught in a blizzard at Gurez in Bandipore.

Kalia said the loss of lives happened despite best efforts by rescue and medical teams.

Last week, the Army lost two soldiers due to avalanches at the world’s highest battlefield, Siachen in Ladakh.

Kashmir witnessed heavy snowfall in the first week of November that threw life out of gear. The snowfall closed passes in the mountainous areas in north Kashmir especially near the Line of Control. The peak winter period of 40 days in Kashmir will start from December 10. For the last few years, Kashmir has been witnessing prolonged winters starting in November itself.