Jammu: All the 10 Army personnel including a junior commissioned officer trapped under a mass of snow after a massive avalanche struck their high-altitude military post Wednesday in Siachen Glacier were Thursday feared dead.
Even as the rescue operations continued for the second day Thursday, a defence spokesman said chances of finding any survivors were “very remote” after the deadly avalanche hit an Army post that was manned by the soldiers attached to the Madras Battalion at an altitude of 19,600 feet.
A statement by a top Army General, however, indicated that the worst fears of authorities may have come true.
“It is a tragic event and we salute the soldiers who braved all challenges to guard our frontiers and made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty,” said Lt Gen DS Hooda, Army Commander, Northern Command, in a message.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor spoke to Gen Hooda, Northern to convey his heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved families over the “tragic loss” of lives.
“Rescue teams are braving adverse weather and effects of rarified atmosphere to locate and rescue survivors. However, it is with deepest of regrets that we have to state that chances of finding any survivors are now very remote,” Defence RO (Northern Command) Col SD Goswami said in a statement in Jammu.
“The rescue operations have been intensified with induction of specialised teams and equipment to trace the missing Army men,” the Defence PRO said. He said that blocks of snow had fallen on the post, burying it very deep. PTI
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