Cold claims lives of five nomads in Kashmir

Intense cold due to fresh snowfall in the Pir Panchal range has claimed the lives of five nomads, including two children, in Kulgam district of South Kashmir, police said today.
   
Seventeen others were rescued from the area, SP, Kulgam, Keshev Ram Chourasya said.
    
The bodies of the five persons, who belonged to two families, were found from Bahak Gajimarg in Damhal Hanjipora, 75 kms from here, last evening.

The nomads hailing from Chinkipora Reasi district have died of cold as there was fresh snowfall in the Pir Panchal range in the past few days, police said.

The deceased were identified as Khali Begum (30), Nizama Jan (6), Salma Jan (2), Zamer Jan (60) and Mehjibeen (55).

About 150 sheep and goats also perished in the incident.

Meanwhile, students of a middle school at Puhro-Kokernag, 70 kms from here, in South Kashmir had a narrow escape after being caught in a cloud burst yesterday.

The students had just gone out for recess when the calamity struck. However, the school building suffered substantial damage.