TWOYEAROLD AMONG 11 KILLED IN AVALANCHE IN J&K’S KUPWARA

SRINAGAR: Eleven people, including a two-year-old child and an engineer of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), were killed as an avalanche hit north Kashmir’s Kupwara on Friday evening, officials said on Saturday.

While in one incident, the avalanche swept away 12 people, including seven in a passenger vehicle, BRO official MP Singh was killed in another incident during duty on Friday evening, a senior police officer said. Both the incidents occurred near the Sadhna Top area of the district.

“The search operation concluded on Saturday evening and we have recovered 11 bodies,” SHO police station Kralpora, Waseem Ahmad, said. Of those affected by the avalanche in the area, two people were saved. Led by the police and the army, locals also helped in the massive search operation in the snow-lined hilly terrain, officials said.

“A passenger was pulled out of snow in the early hours of Saturday morning, while a child was rescued on Friday evening. The driver of a passenger vehicle affected by the avalanche escaped unhurt,” Kupwara deputy commissioner Khalid Jahangir told HT. Ghulam Nabi Bhat, 45, and the seven-year-old child are both undergoing treatment and their condition is said to be stable.

CM Mehbooba Mufti expressed grief over the incident and directed the Kupwara district administration to ensure medical assistance to the injured.

Kashmir has been experiencing Chilai Kalan — the 40-day harshest period of winter in the region marked by frequent snowfall — since December 21.