NEW DELHI: Long-suspected use of heavy caliber guns by Pakistan at the icy heights in Kashmir is causing killer avalanches that have taken a toll of Indian soldiers in recent days.
Alluding to the fact, Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat said on Sunday: “Ceasefire violations and use of heavy weapons by Pakistani troops are leading to loosening of soil. When there is a heavy snowfall on such a loose soil and if there is a slope, it triggers the danger of an avalanche.”
“Due to global warming, glaciers are witnessing cracks. There are avalanches in areas which had not reported such cases earlier. Avalanches have occurred in Dawar areas, Machil sectors. We have erected some posts for counter-infiltration. Some posts are very near to enemy posts,” said Gen. Rawat. He was speaking to reporters after paying homage to Major Amit Sagar, who lost his life in an avalanche that took place at 5.45 am in Sonmarg.
Please bear with us: Gen Bipin Rawat to jawans family
Since last week, 21 people including 15 army men have lost their lives due to avalanches and snowfall-related deaths in Kashmir valley.
The state has been witnessing heavy snowfall over the past 72 hours, and is likely to witness similar conditions for the next two-three days.
Gen. Rawat said the army has been taking help of the Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment, a laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation, to map avalanche-prone areas.
Gen. Rawat also appealed to families of the jawans who lost their lives in the avalanche to bear with them as “weather is playing a spoilsport in bringing back the bodies of their dear ones."
On February 3, 2016, 10 soldiers from the Madras Regiment’s 19 battalion went missing in Siachen after an avalanche. Lance Naik Hanumanthappa, 33, was dug out from 30 feet deep snow after he miraculously survived for five days although he later succumbed to his injuries in a Delhi hospital after being airlifted to the national capital.
In January 2016, four soldiers had their lost their lives after being hit by an avalanche in Siachen.
In one of the most devastating avalanches, about 135 Pakistani soldiers died after being buried under tons of snow after an avalanche hit them near Siachen on 7 April 2012.
