Rich tributes paid to 19 soldiers died in snow avalanches in Kashmir

SRINAGAR:  Army and other security agencies today paid rich tributes to 19 martyrs who lost their lives in snow avalanches in Kupwara and Bandipora districts following heavy snowfall last week.

The mortal remains of the soldiers were airlifted from the snowbound areas yesterday only due to extremely bad weather due to snowfall.

Chinar Corps Commander Lt General J S Sandhu led all ranks of the Corps to pay rich tributes to the soldiers at a wreath laying ceremony organized at Badami Bagh Cantonment, headquarters of the 15 Corps here.

A defence ministry spokesman said as the entire nation salutes the martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice fighting nature’s fury in Kashmir, the Army gave a befitting farewell to its brave hearts in a solemn ceremony at Srinagar.

He said  Lt Gen Sandhu and all ranks of the Corps paid rich tributes to the gallant soldiers who lost their lives while serving in the formidable heights along the Line of Control in two separate snow-related incidents in north Kashmir.

Fourteen soldiers had been swept away in a devastating avalanche in Gurez on January 26 while five soldiers in Machhal, who had been rescued after they got trapped under snow when the track caved in on January 28, succumbed to their injuries yesterday.

He said in a show of solidarity, officials from other security agencies including state police, CRPF, BSF and SSB also joined in paying their last respects to the martyrs.

The mortal remains of the martyrs are being taken to their native places where their last rites will be performed by the family members.

The Army stands beside the bereaved families in their loss and shares their grief and pain.

He said the martyrs are being transported from here to New Delhi in an Indian Air force aircraft today.

Schedule for further move from Delhi to respective final destinations of the martyrs is attached, he said.

(AGENCIES)

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