Expressing grief over loss of lives in avalanche, Governor Satya Pal Malik announces ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the families

Srinagar, January 19: As the rescue operation in the snowy land of Jammu and Kashmir intensifies, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik expressed grief over the loss of lives due to an avalanche in Ladakh region on Friday. The governor has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the next of the kin of those killed in the avalanche.

 

The governor has prayed for peace to the departed souls and strength to the bereaved families in their hour of grief. Ten persons on board two trucks are feared dead after the avalanche buried two vehicles under 20 feet of snow at Khardung La pass in Leh district. Bodies of five victims have been recovered so far as rescue operations continue.

The avalanche hit the trucks that were carrying 10 persons as reported by the Border Roads Organisation. The BRO pressed into service its men and machinery to rescue the passengers trapped under mountain debris. Police, army and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel had reached the spot for rescue operations.

In a statement, the army said that two civilian trucks with 10 passengers were buried under an avalanche of approx 20 feet depth, some 800 metres from Khardung La Top towards South Pullu. Army teams deployed near the incident site swiftly moved and commenced the search & rescue operations.