Five Army personnel missing in HP’s avalanche-hit Kinnaur, feared dead: DC Gopal Chand

Day after one soldier was killed and five others are missing after an Army patrol deployed in Shipkila Sector here along the India-China border was hit by a massive avalanche, Kinnaur Deputy Commissioner Gopal Chand on Thursday said that there is high probability that the missing jawans have died during the avalanche as bodies could not be traced out.

Chand also confirmed that another avalanche hit on Thursday morning that hampered the rescue operation.

He said that rescue party comprised near 250 jawans, IT’S and police are on standby right now as the region is freezing under temperature minus 15 degrees.

Other five jawans who are still missing identified as Naik Videsh Chand, Rifle men Govind Bhadur Chattri.Rfn Rajesh Risi, Rfn. Arjun Kumar and Rfn Nitin Rana.

The DC also added that four to five ITBP jawan also came under the spate of Avalanche however all of them were rescued safely who had sustained minor injuries.

As per army officer, about 16 army soldiers were petrolling at Dogri post when an avalanche came and buried 6 soldiers of army jawan inside the snowy body.

As per army spokesperson the rescue and search operation would go on till the last man is retrieved.

Himachal Pradesh Chief minister Jai Ram thakur has expressed grief over the incident of avalanche on Thursday.

Chief Minster said that the state government would provide all possible assistance to tte Army to ensure

speedy relief and rehabilitation works. He said that teh Deputy Commissioner Kinnuar has been directed to keep close liaison with the Army and ITBP Authorities.