Indian soldiers critical after track collapse in heavy Kashmir snow

SRINAGAR, INDIA // Five Indian soldiers were rescued after being buried under heavy snow in Kashmir yesterday, days after 20 people were killed by avalanches in the disputed territory.

“All five were successfully rescued and are undergoing treatment,” said Col Rajesh Kalia. The soldiers had been approaching a border post in Machil, along the Line of Control that divides the territory with Pakistan, when the track they were following caved in.

Another army officer said the soldiers were in a critical condi- tion. Bad weather had prevented them from being flown to a base hospital in Srinagar, 140 kilometres away.

Another 15 Indian soldiers died when a patrol and two camps were hit by avalanches in the north of Kashmir on Wednesday. It took rescuers two days to retrieve their bodies.

Five civilians were killed last week, including four members of a family, when an avalanche ripped through their home as they slept. A lone survivor was rescued. Dozens of Indian and Pakistani soldiers lose their lives in avalanches almost every winter along the border.

Indian-administered Kashmir has been suffering one of the most severe winters in recent decades, with heavy snow across the territory and temperatures dropping to minus 7°C.

Authorities have issued avalanche warnings and advised residents in mountainous areas not to venture out.

Police last week evacuated 80 villagers from Waltengoo Nar where dozens were killed in avalanches in 2005.