Avalanche in Siachen hits army patrol party; one jawan killed, another missing

An army jawan was killed while another went missing when an avalanche hit a patrol party in Siachen’s Turtuk sector Ladhak region of Jammu and Kashmir this morning. The avalanche hit the partol party around 8 AM at Turtuk area of Siachen - the highest battleground in the world - following which two jawans got buried under the snow, a Defence Spokesperson said.

Immediately, rescue drills were launched and one of the soldiers, Lance Havildar Bhawan Tamang was rescued in a “critical” condition and shifted to a nearest medical facility. “Lance Havildar Bhawan Tamang, who was earlier rescued from an avalanche that hit an army patrol party this morning in Turtuk sector has succumbed to his injuries,” the Spokesperson said, adding the soldier could not be revived by the medical team.

Tamang was a resident of Lopshu village in Darjeeling. Meanwhile, massive efforts are on to search and rescue the missing jawan despite an inclement weather in the area. Army Commander, Northern Command, Lt Gen D S Hooda has expressed his deep condolences to the family of Lance Havildar Bhawan Tamang.