A patrolling party of the Indian Army, guarding the highest battlefield in Northern Siachen Glacier in Ladakh region, was stuck under snow after an avalanche hit an Army post, at an altitude of over 19000 feet, late Monday afternoon.
According to initial reports, at least 8 Army personnel were part of the patrol party which was hit by an avalanche around 3.30 pm of which four died.
The Indian Army had immediately launched search and rescue operations with sophisticated equipment to track down the foot prints of the soldiers.
On February 3, 2016, 10 soldiers were swept away by an avalanche in Northern Siachen glacier.
Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad of 19 Madras Regiment was extricated from his fibre-reinforced hut, buried under the 35 feet deep snow wall after a gap of 140 hours, but he could not survive even after he was airlifted to Armys’ Research and Referral hospital in New Delhi for specialised medical care.
Meanwhile, the rescue teams were reportedly working round the clock and observing all precautions since the unstable ice and snow in the region could trigger fresh avalanches.
The rescue teams, armed with sophisticated equipment, have been camping in the area to rescue members of the patrol party, official sources said.