Avalanche near Nepal border kills 2 Army jawans, one missing

Two jawans of the Army’s Kumaon  Scouts were killed after an avalanche hit their barrack at Chiyalekh near the Indo-Nepal border in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district. While four Army personnel were injured, one jawan is reported to be missing. The incident occurred around 8 pm on Monday.

The two jawans who lost their lives were identified as Havildar Santosh Singh and Pradeep Kumar. Pithoragarh DM Sushil Kumar said there are different units of other paramilitary forces near Kumaon Scouts’ barrack site. “They are taking care of the injured,” the DM said. The injured personnel are still near the barrack site.

He added the district administration is in constant touch with the Army to ensure proper coordination for rescue operation. He said the incident occurred around 8 pm on Monday. “An Army helicopter was sent to the site of damaged barrack today. However, the helicopter could not land there,” he said. According to the DM, there were seven jawans deployed at the barrack.

Sources said a team of 22 Army personnel is on way to the barrack through a trekking route. Kumaon Scouts is a wing of the Indian Army and its two battalions are currently deployed in Pithoragarh near the Indo-Nepal border.