J-K avalanche: President Mukherjee expresses grief over loss of lives

President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday condoled the loss of lives of army personnel in an avalanche in Kashmir, adding his assurance over concerned authorities and the state government providing all possible aid to the bereaved families.

In a message to Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat, President Mukherjee said, "I am sad to learn about the avalanche in Kashmir in which a number of army personnel lost their lives and some are reported missing."

Conveying his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, the President wished for speedy recovery of the injured personnel.

15 Indian soldiers lost their lives in two separate avalanches in Gurez and Sonmarg on January 25.

The Northern Command on Friday released a list consisting of the names of soldiers.

Two ghastly avalanches had hit the army camp in Gurez sector of Bandipora district near the Line of Control (LoC) and another of 115 Battalion at Sonmarg in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district respectively on Wednesday.

While an avalanche hit a patrol party which was on its way to a post in Gurez sector on Wednesday night, the other hit two shelters occupied by two officers and four jawans.