| Submit your comments on this article | |
| India-Pakistan | |
| Pakistani troops dig for 117 missing in avalanche | |
| 2012-04-08 | |
More than 12 hours after the disaster at the entrance to the Siachen Glacier, no survivors had been found. “We are waiting for news and keeping our fingers crossed,” said army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas. Hundreds of troops, sniffer dogs and mechanical equipment were at the scene, but were struggling to make much headway into the avalanche, which crashed down onto the rear headquarters building in the Gayari sector early in the morning, burying it under some 70 meters (75 yards) of snow, said Abbas. “It’s on a massive scale,” he said. “Everything is completely covered.” Siachen is on the northern tip of the divided Kashmir region claimed by both India and Pakistan. The thousands of troops from both nations stationed there brave viciously cold temperatures, altitude sickness, high winds and isolation for months at a time. Troops have been deployed at elevations of up to 6,700 meters (22,000 feet) and have skirmished intermittently since 1984, though the area has been quiet since a cease-fire in 2003. The glacier is known as the world’s highest battlefield. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani expressed his shock at the incident, which he said “would in no way would undermine the high morale of soldiers and officers.” The headquarters in Gayari, situated at around 4,572 meters (15,000 feet) is the main gateway through which troops and supplies pass on their to other more remote outposts in the sector. It is situated in a valley between two high mountains, close to a military hospital, according to an officer who was stationed there in 2003. “I can’t comprehend how an avalanche can reach that place,” said the officer. “It was supposed to be safe.” More soldiers have died from the weather than combat on the glacier, which was uninhabited before troops moved there. Conflict there began in 1984 when India occupied the heights of the 78-kilometer (49-mile)-long glacier, fearing Pakistan wanted to claim the territory. Pakistan also deployed its troops. Both armies remain entrenched despite the cease-fire, costing the poverty-stricken countries many millions of dollars each year. | |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #5 There little common about the common soldier. I am saddened, as I am sure you are as well, at the death of even one. “I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2012-04-08 12:21 |
| #4 Might take awhile to melt 80 feet of snow. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2012-04-08 12:13 |
| #3 “Everything is completely covered.” Do they have a spring thaw that high up? That might help. |
| Posted by: Barbara 2012-04-08 11:36 |
| #2 Definitely snow djinns. Somebody must have annoyed them somehow. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2012-04-08 10:20 |
| #1 “I can’t comprehend how an avalanche can reach that place,” said the officer. “It was supposed to be safe.” mm maybe it was set off? Be good to know. |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2012-04-08 08:42 |