J&K Avalanche: At least 3 out of 10 policemen trapped, rescued
As rescue operations intensified, three out of 10 policemen trapped under snow avalanche which struck Jammu and Kashmir have been saved
At least three policemen out of 10 have been rescued from the avalanche that buried them in the snow in Kulgam district near the Jawahar Tunnel on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, news agency ANI reported on Friday. All three have been taken to the hospital. One of the policemen is in critical condition.
One of the policemen rescued is an SPO identified as Gulzar Ahmad.
An air force helicopter has also been pressed.
Meanwhile, a rescue operation is still going on to save the policemen trapped inside their post under a snow avalanche.
"Rescue teams have reached close to the site of the avalanche this morning. All efforts are being made to evacuate the trapped persons," a police official said. An avalanche hit the north portal of Jawahar Tunnel on the Qazigund side in Kulgam district on Thursday evening.
While 10 policemen posted at the police post near the tunnel managed to reach safety before the avalanche struck, 10 other policemen were believed to be trapped.
Kashmir Valley has been witnessing heavy snowfall since Wednesday with Kulgam District in south Kashmir receiving maximum precipitation in the past 24 hours. Some places in the district have received as much as five feet of snow, officials said.