Fayaz Bukhari Srinagar : At least 10-12 army personnel were trapped in an avalanche at Saichen glacier this morning, a senior army officer told Excelsior.
A senior army officer said here that an avalanche hit this morning on Northern side of Saichen glacier in which 12 army personnel are missing .
“They belong to Madras regiment of the army and are believed to be trapped under avalanche. They were out on regular patrol early in the morning when avalanche struck the area. A major rescue operation has been launched by the army’s snow rescue team and they are being assisted by the locals army unit”, the officer said.
This is the fourth time since April last year that avalanches struck Saicchen trapping and killing Indian army men.
One month ago, on January 3, four army personnel were killed after their patrol party was hit by an avalanche at Siachen Glacier of Ladakh Division.
Four soldiers of 3 Ladakh Scouts were killed when their patrol party was hit by a snow avalanche at the Southern Glacier in Ladkah last month on January 3 while they were performing the regular task and the patrol came under an avalanche.
Last year in April, four army personnel were killed when an avalanche struck in Chang La area of Siachen where they were performing their duty
On November 15 last year, an army Captain Ashwani Kumar was killed while 15 army men were rescued when avalanche hit an army post at Siachen glacier.
Both Indian and Pakistani troops are suffering heavy casualties at Siachen due to avalanches every year. The worst tragedy took place on April 7, 2012, when 130 Pakistani soldiers were buried alive at Siachen glacier.
Follow our WhatsApp channel