Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 31: After improvement in weather, Army today airlifted bodies of 19 soldiers from Srinagar to Delhi while divisional administration Kashmir today issued fresh avalanche warning in the hills of North Kashmir.
The soldiers were airlifted after a solemn ceremony held here at headquarters of Chinar Corps this morning. The Army gave a befitting adieu to soldiers who lost their lives in twin incidents of snow furry at Gurez and Macchil sectors of North Kashmir.
A Defence spokesman said the Chinar Corps Commander Lt General JS Sandhu and all ranks of the Corps paid rich tributes to the gallant soldiers who lost their lives while serving in the formidable heights along the Line of Control in two separate snow related incidents.
Fourteen soldiers were swept away in a devastating avalanche in Gurez on January 26 while five soldiers in Macchil who were rescued after they got trapped under snow when the track caved in on January 28 succumbed to their injuries yesterday.
“In a show of solidarity, officials from other security agencies including JKP, CRPF, BSF and SSB also joined in paying their last respects to the martyrs,” the spokesman said.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir issued a medium danger avalanche warning for next 24-hours for hilly and avalanche prone areas of Kupwara and Bandipora districts. “Medium danger avalanche warning valid for next 24-hours from January 31 to February 01, 2017 (1700 hrs) exists for avalanche prone slopes in Kupwara and Bandipora districts in Kashmir Division,” a statement issued by Divisional Commissioner said.
He has asked the Deputy Commissioners of Kupwara and Bandipora to take precautionary measures in their respective districts and advise people not to venture in avalanche prone areas and to keep clearing snow depositions from roof tops of their houses and bunkers to avoid damages.
Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, G M Dar, today asked the people residing in the areas of Keran, Machil Karnah, Jamagund and Cumkadi to exercise caution and take necessary precautions while moving outside their homes, besides refrain from venturing outside during night hours.
SSP Rural Kashmir, Fayaz Ahmad Lone, told Excelsior that traffic will ply from Srinagar to Jammu tomorrow.
“Keeping in view the condition of the road, especially between Udhampur -Ramsoo and Banihal to Levdora (Qazigund) coupled with narrow width of road at certain places, only one way movement of traffic is feasible/advisable on Srinagar- Jammu NHW. As such subject to fair weather and good condition of road tomorrow on 01.02.2017 movement of traffic shall be allowed from Srinagar towards Jammu side in a regulated manner. The movement of all the vehicles (excluding Trailers/multi-axle vehicles) shall be allowed from Levdora from 0800 hours and all these vehicles shall cross Jawahar Tunnel by 1500 hours positively”, he said.
“No movement of traffic including that of convoys of Army, BSF, CRPF etc. shall be allowed from Jammu towards Srinagar side on 01.02.2017 under any circumstances to ensure hassle free movement of traffic. Commuters are requested/advised that vehicles are not parked in any landslide/avalanche/vulnerable zones of NHW especially from Ramsoo – Jawahar Tunnel – Levdora under any circumstances. All the vulnerable/avalanche prone zones should be kept free from any kind of traffic to avoid any eventuality”, he said.
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