14 soldiers killed in two avalanches in Kashmir valley

Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir, India), Feb 23 (PTI) At least 14 soldiers of Indian Army were killed, with another five were feared dead as avalanches struck two military camps in Ganderbal and Bandipora districts of Kashmir Valley in northern India last night. "So far, 11 bodies have been recovered from the scene of avalanche in Gurez sector, while five others are still missing," army spokesman Colonel K S Garewal said. As many as 13 soldiers were rescued, four of them in an injured condition, from the debris of the avalanche that hit the 109 infantry Brigade in Dawar area of Gurez -- close to the Line of Control between India and Pakistan -- in Bandipora, he said. The avalanche struck at 9.15 PM yesterday but the information about the tragedy started trickling in the morning as Gurez Valley is cut off from rest of the country due to heavy snowfall during winter. Another avalanche struck the camp of 162 Territorial Army in Sonamarg area of Ganderbal district last evening, killing three, the spokesman said. PTI