Kashmir avalanche kills 17 soldiers

12 April 2012

A massive avalanche hit an Indian army training centre in Kashmir today, killing at least 17 soldiers.

Farooq Ahmed, a senior police officer, said 17 were critically injured and that casualties could rise. The avalanche hit the High Altitude Warfare School at 11am as 70 soldiers were out on a training exercise.

Army and police rescue teams went to work in Gulmarg, a ski resort 30 miles from Srinagar, and rescued 53 soldiers. Initially about 60 were believed to be trapped.

Mr Ahmed also said nearly 200 foreign skiers and a similar number of local tourists were safe.

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