7 soldiers, 3 porters killed in Kashmir avalanche

Seven soldiers of the Indian Army and three porters were killed in avalanches near the LoC in Nowshehra Nar area in Bandipore district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said on Wednesday.

Seven soldiers of the Indian Army and three porters were killed in avalanches near the Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshehra Nar area in Bandipore district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said on Wednesday.

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Three porters were buried in an avalanche that struck the Nowshehra Nar area on Monday. The army team that went to rescue them was caught in another avalanche on Tuesday.

"The army had rushed a rescue team comprising of two officers and five jawans to trace the porters. However, the army rescue team was also buried under an avalanche," Sheikh Junaid, superintendent of police of Bandipore district, told IANS.

"So far, bodies of two soldiers have been recovered from under the snow and search for the others is still on," he added.

On Friday, Kashmir received this winter season's first snowfall. Weathermen have forecast more rains and fresh snow Wednesday and Thursday, which might hamper the rescue efforts.