A teenager was killed when swept by an avalanche in Machael area close to the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s north-western Kupwara district on Saturday.
A teenager was killed when swept by an avalanche in Machael area close to the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s north-western Kupwara district on Saturday. However, two other youth buried under ten-feet-deep snow with him were rescued by the joint efforts of locals, the police and the Army.
The trio, students of a local Islamic seminary, were crossing the avalanche-prone area, Chuntiwari Balla, when struck by the avalanche resulting in the death of Merajuddin Khan (16). The injured, identified as Javed Ahmed Khan and Qaiser Ahmed Mir, have been admitted to a nearby hospital.
Defence spokesman S.D. Goswami said the Army launched a swift rescue operation. “The Army detachment at T. Sant (camp) quickly swung into action on observing the boys caught in the avalanche,” he said. He added that the rescue team found the boys, buried under 10 feet of snow, in a state of shock and physical exhaustion and administered first-aid at the site itself.
The Kupwara police said its jawans and locals also took part in rescue operation.
“The rescue mission was able to successfully evacuate Javed,16, and Qaisar, 14. However, the third boy Meraj unfortunately succumbed to his grievous injuries,” he said.
The Kupwara police said that its jawans and local also took part in rescue operation.
Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Asgar Samoon, has issued medium danger avalanche warning for snowbound areas in Chowkibal-Tangdar, Taya, Ragini, Puttakhan, Zunegund, Malai, Pharkiyan, Keran sector, Bandipora, Razdhan, Gulmarg, Neeru, Burab, Chakwali, Naugaon, Kaiyan, Radha TMG, Padam, Zebra, Patlala, Z-Gali, Macchal, Dhudi, Tsuntwarl, Drass sector and Kargil sector in Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipore and Kargil districts.
“People are advised not to venture in steep avalanche prone slope during next 24 hours,” he said adding people are also advised to keep cleaning the snow from roof top of their houses to avoid any causality due to roof collapse.
