Four people were killed and seven trapped under snow after an avalanche hit Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.
The incident took place at Khardung La pass which is 26 kilometres away from Leh. According to police, an SUV carrying civilians was buried under the snow after the avalanche.
The Army, Kashmir police and Disaster Management Force are conducting rescue operations at the site. The rescue forces recovered bodies of four civilians after hours of rescue operations.
J&K:10 feared to be buried in Avalanche on Khardung La top.District administration,SDRF, Police and Army have started rescue operations. #AIRVideos:Ramesh. pic.twitter.com/0DV9EjHZdW
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) January 18, 2019
"Rescue operation launched after civilians got buried under snow. It is believed that they were digging snow at Khardung La in Leh. Digging triggered a snow slide and civilians got buried. We are fearing that the civilians are trapped," said Deputy Commissioner Leh, Avny Lavasa, reported The Indian Express.
A high alert for avalanche was sounded by the administration on Thursday in nine districts of Kashmir for the avalanche-prone areas of Anantnag, Kulgam, Budgam, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Kargil and Leh districts following adverse weather advisory by the India Meteorological Department (Met) department.
(More details awaited)