Avalanche kills seven Army soldiers in Arunachal Pradesh; bodies retrieved
New Delhi, February 8: Seven Indian Army soldiers, who were struck by an avalanche in the high-altitude area of Kameng sector in Arunachal Pradesh on Monday, have been confirmed dead. Their bodies have been retrieved from the avalanche site, said the Indian Army.
The seven Indian Army soldiers were a part of a winter patrol when the avalanche hit them in the high altitude area at 14,500 feet, sources in the Army said.
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Search operations was launched in Kameng sector in Arunachal Pradesh immediately after the incident. Specialised teams were airlifted to assist in rescue operations.
"The area has been witnessing inclement weather with heavy snowfall for the last few days," the Indian Army had said in a statement.
Several high altitude areas of the frontier state have been witnessing heavy snowfall this month. Daria Hill near Itanagar received snowfall after 34 years and Rupa town in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Kameng district witnessed snowfall after two decades.
The bodies of the soldiers are currently being transferred from the avalanche site to the nearest Army medical facility for further formalities, the Army said. (ANI)
Meanwhile, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday expressed his grief over the death of seven Army personnel in Arunachal Pradesh in an avalanche tragedy. "Saddened to know of the death of Army Personnel in avalanche tragedy in Arunachal Pradesh. My deepest condolences to their family and friends. We salute the martyrs," said a tweet from Gandhi.
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More details are awaited.
-PTC News
