Body of 1 jawan found in Himachal

SHIMLA: After 10 days of a hectic search operation, rescuers on Saturday managed to trace the body of a trooper. Four are still missing, officials said.

Rajesh Rishi, 25, was one of the six troopers of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles who got buried under an avalanche that occurred near the Tibet border in Kinnaur district on February 20.

The body of one trooper was found soon after. Officials said about 500 personnel have been deployed for search operation.

A lot of fresh snow had accumulated at the avalanche site, 350 km from the state capital, and fresh snow has made treks treacherous. The snow has solidified into hard rocks, making it difficult to dig, they said.

Many mountaineers from the area are also involved in the operation. The state government said two separate parties of the Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) were patrolling Namgia Dogri when the avalanche hit.

Five ITBP troopers were also injured in the disaster.

Lt Gen PM Bali, Chief of Staff of Western Command headquarters, visited the site of the avalanche last week and assured that all out efforts were underway to find the missing army men.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more snow in the region till Saturday.