Defence Minister Antony condole death of soldiers in avalanche in Kashmir

New Delhi, Feb 9 (ANI): Defence Minister AK Antony has expressed deep anguish at the tragic loss of lives of many army personnel due to a massive avalanche in Jammu and Kashmir.

In a message, he conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

He asked the army and local authorities to intensify the rescue operations and provide all possible medical aid to the injured.

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Meanwhile, another army soldier was killed in a second avalanche on Tuesday, even as 13 out of the 14 already trapped, were rescued from an Army forward post in Jammu and Kashmir Tangdhar District.

On Monday, at least 17 soldiers had lost their lives. Around 400 people mostly Armymen and porters were rescued.

The avalanche took place at 11 a.m. on Monday. The Army's High Altitude Warfare School at Gulmarg had established an advance camp at Gujjar Hut on Sunday, and 300 Army trainees, 100 trainers, 60 support staff and 50 civilians were present when the avalanche came down.

Snow Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) had issued an avalanche warning last evening and asked the people living in high altitude areas not to venture in the area, which has been receiving heavy snowfall for the past three days. (ANI)