Agencies
Srinagar, November 19:
In a tragic incident, four Indian Army personnel and two civilian porters were killed after they were hit by an avalanche in northern part of the Siachen Glacier, officials said. A group of eight persons, including six Army personnel, were struck by the avalanche at an altitude of 19,000 ft around 3 pm, they said. Two Army personnel survived the avalanche. Rescue teams from nearby posts were rushed to the location after the incident, an Army spokesperson said.
“All eight personnel were pulled out of the avalanche debris. Seven individuals were critically injured in the incident,” the official said.
Despite best efforts, four soldiers and two civilian porters succumbed to extreme hypothermia, the official said.
Netizens offered their condolences on social media and hailed the brave soldiers who continuously guard the borders in such conditions.
#UPDATE Indian Army: Six persons including four soldiers and two porters killed in avalanche in the Siachen Glacier today. pic.twitter.com/WyPIl25ObR
— ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2019
