Seven Army Personnel Hit By Avalanche In Arunachal Pradesh ‘Confirmed Dead’; President Kovind, PM Modi Express Grief

Seven army personnel of 19 JAK Rifles were part of a patrolling team and were hit by the avalanche along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), in the area near Mammy Hut, on Sunday.

New Delhi: Seven Indian Army personnel who were reportedly struck by an avalanche in the high altitude area of the Kameng sector in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang district have been “confirmed dead”. In a statement, The Indian Army said corpses of the personnel have been retrieved from the avalanche site.”Seven Army personnel who were struck by an avalanche in high altitude area of Kameng Sector in Arunachal Pradesh on 6 Feb have been confirmed dead, their bodies retrieved from the avalanche site,” the Army said.

Seven Army personnel who were struck by avalanche in high altitude area of Kameng Sector in Arunachal Pradesh on 6 Feb have been confirmed dead, their bodies retrieved from the avalanche site: Indian Army pic.twitter.com/2SZMML8GzC

— ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2022

Seven army personnel of 19 JAK Rifles were part of a patrolling team and were hit by the avalanche along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), in the area near Mammy Hut, on Sunday.

Indian army had launched search and rescue operations in the area on Sunday to find them. Specialised teams were airlifted to assist in rescue operations.

The area, located at an altitude of 14,500 feet, had been witnessing inclement weather with heavy snowfall for the last few days.

The bodies of the soldiers are currently being transferred from the avalanche site to the nearest Army medical facility for further formalities, the Army said.

President Kovind, PM Modi express grief

President Ram Nath Kovind said the death of Army soldiers due to an avalanche in Arunachal Pradesh is a tragedy beyond words and offered condolences to their families.

“The death of soldiers due to an avalanche in Arunachal Pradesh is a tragedy beyond words. The brave soldiers laid down their lives for the service of the nation. Their selfless sacrifice will always be remembered. My condolences to their families,” Kovind tweeted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the death of soilders and tweeted, “Sadddened by the loss of lives of Indian Army personnel due to an avalanche in Arunachal Pradesh. We will never forget their exemplary service to our nation. Condolences to the bereaved families.”

(With inputs from Agencies)