Manohar Parrikar condoles death of soldiers in Gurez avalanches

NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today condoled the death of ten soldiers in avalanches over the past two days in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Heartfelt condolences to families of our Armymen who have lost their lives in avalanches in J&K in the past two days," he tweeted.

Heartfelt condolences to families of our Armymen who have lost their lives in avalanches in J&K in the past two days.

— Manohar Parrikar (@manoharparrikar) January 26, 2017

As per the Army, ten soldiers were killed as two avalanches hit Gurez Sector of Kashmir.

The first avalanche hit an army camp in Gurez sector of Bandipora district near the Line of Control last evening in which several soldiers were trapped, an army official said.

He said rescue operations were launched and seven soldiers including a Junior Commissioned Officer were rescued.

"Bodies of three soldiers were retrieved this morning," he said. The official said another avalanche hit a patrol party which was on its way to a post in Gurez sector last evening. Four soldiers are missing.