Bad weather affects rescue ‘Op’ in Siachen

Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Dec 15: Adverse weather condition hampered the rescue operation after snow avalanche hit an Army post in Siachen area of Ladakh region     while one- way traffic is allowed from Jammu to Srinagar tomorrow in view of slippery road conditions and heavy snow in Jawahar Tunnel area of the National Highway.
A Defence spokesman said that the rescue operation and search of the missing soldier was hampered in view of the adverse weather conditions in Siachen area of Ladakh region. Seven soldiers of  Ist Assam Regiment were buried alive under a huge snow avalanche in Hanief Sub sector, near Turtuk at the height of about 17,000 ft from sea level at Siachen.
Bodies of six soldiers were recovered yesterday while one was still missing. He said the chances of his survival were very bleak. The spokesman said the operation was halted due to bad weather and it will be resumed as the weather improves.
Meanwhile, DIG Traffic Jammu Shakeel Beig said that nearly 4200 vehicles crossed Jawahar Tunnel  and moved towards Jammu today. No up convoy was allowed from Jammu side today. The traffic on Doda-Kishtwar route plied normally.
He further disclosed that condition of road from Banihal to Qazigund was problematic and slippery. One-way convoy  system would continued for the couple of more days or till the weather condition improves. He disclosed that tomorrow (on Tuesday) up convoy, from  Jammu to Srinagar will be allowed subject to weather conditions. All the vehicles moving from Jammu will have to cross Nagrota by 12 noon and Udhampur before 2 pm. There will not be any restriction on the vehicles moving to Bhaderwah, Doda or Kishtwar, the DIG  maintained.