Gulmarg-Kashmir, February 09(Scoop News) – Indian army Colonels appreciated the role of Jammu and Kashmir civil administration for extending all possible assistance during the rescue operation in Gulmarg..
J&K Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir today visited High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) in Gulmarg and expressed his deep sorrow and grief over the loss of precious lives in the avalanche incident in Gujar Hut area yesterday. As many as 70 army men were buried under the avalanche, out of which, 17 were dead and 17 injured while rest were safely rescued.
The Minister was briefed by Colonel Vijain and Colonel Shekhawat of HAWS about the incident and rescue operations. They said that 14 of the rescued army men have resumed their duties. The injured were admitted in 92 Base Hospital and are out of danger.
They said Tourism department, GDA, Police and district administration swung into action and pressed latest snow cutter and snow grooming machines due to which minimum casualties were caused.
The Colonels said that civil administration proved that they have tremendous potential and courage to fight such natural calamities.
Later, while interacting with the electronic media at Gulmarg , the Minister hailed the civil administration for providing men and machinery to the army for saving the precious lives caught in the avalanche. He said “I remember the role of army during the devastating earthquake of October 2005, when they saved thousands of civilians in Uri and Karnah when they
themselves were in trouble”.
Describing yesterday’s avalanche incident as natural calamity and a test for civil administration which they accomplished successfully and thus minimum casualties were caused, he said, “I being the MLA of this constituency express my gratitude to the local administration”. He said no civil or tourist casualty was reported and all the roads were cleared from snow and the normal functioning in this famous tourist resort was restored.