Massive avalanche hits Siachen army post, 10 soldiers missing

www.mangaloretoday.com

New Delhi, Feb 3, 2016: Ten Indian Army soldiers are reported missing after a massive avalanche hit the high-altitude post manned by them in the Siachen glacier.

The trapped army personnel, including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), are of the 19th battalion of Bihar regiment.

 

The avalanche hit a high altitude post situated at 19000 feet in Northern Glacier sector in Ladakh region in wee hours of Wednesday morning, Defence PRO at Udhampur-based Northern Command Col S D Goswami said.

The brave soldiers were caught unawares and are reportedly trapped in a mass of snow.

The Indian Army and Air Force have launched rescue operations in the area. Indian troops hold the Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battlefield.

In January four soldiers were killed by a similar avalanche in the region.