By SUNIL Sonkar
Srinagar, Feb. 08 — About 15 armymen were dead and 17 others were injured seriously in a massive avalanche near to Srinagar. The avalanche hit winter warfare training camp of the army on the steep slopes of a ski resort, which is about 70 kms from the capital.
The avalanche came down on Monday on a 60-strong group during the winter training as they were going upwards to the sheer ice walls in Khilanmarg. The visibility then was near to zero and it hampered any evasive action by them.
Colonel J S Brar, army spokesman, said that in the avalanche 15 men were buried inside tonnes of snow and other 17 were injured but were rescued and moved to the base hospital at Srinagar. Two soldiers were still missing.
Among the dead were an officer, Lt Prateek.
Col Brar said that the 60 were part of the 350 soldiers in a group who were selected for advanced winter warfare course that is run by the Gulmarg-based school.
