Shimla, February 20: One soldier died and five are still missing after heavy snow triggered an avalanche in Kinnaur district’s Namgya on Wednesday.
A jawan was pulled out of the snow and sent to Pooh for medical aid but died there. Rescue operations are currently under way. The jawans belonged to the 7 JAK Rifles unit of the Army.
The tribal districts of Kinnaur and Lahaul & Spiti have been seeing heavy snow these past few days. The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted more snow and heavy rain for the area over the next two days.
The avalanche occurred at around 11 am near Shipkala on the Sino-India border. Several jawans of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) were also trapped in the avalanche, but they were rescued later, he added
Meanwhile, Army and ITBP are keeping a close watch along the 240 km international boundary with China along Shipkila.
