Three youngsters were buried alive under a snow avalanche in North Kashmir as surge in temperature started triggering shooting stones and avalanches in the upper reaches.
The tragedy occurred in mountainous Dara Kujul pocket of North Kashmir Uri pocket situated along the line of Control in Baramulla district. Police said the trio had gone to the upper reaches to fetch firewood when a heavy avalanche buried them alive.
Before the villagers raised alarm and rescue operation was initiated, the youngsters died under the colossal snow mass. They have been identified as Deen Muhammad Sood, Muhammad Haleem and lateef Ahmad, all in their thirties.
The people in border areas live in abject poverty and collecting firewood and grazing cattle in the pastures is their mainstay apart from working as coolies for the Army.
The disaster management cell of the divisional administration has issued a warning for the residents in upper reaches to remain vigilant about shooting stones and avalanches. They said the rise in temperature starts melting process in the glaciers.