Seven persons have died and several others were injured after a snow avalanche struck near Zojila Pass along the Srinagar–Ladakh highway on Friday, officials said.
A massive avalanche hit the Zojila Pass area, burying at least four vehicles under heavy snow and triggering panic in the region.
“A massive rescue operation was launched soon after the avalanche, and so far seven persons have died,” an official said, adding that the rescue operation was still underway in the area. The injured have been shifted to hospital.
All the deceased are believed to be residents of Kargil district, officials said.
Soon after the incident, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinay Kumar Saxena expressed grief over the incident and said that rescue teams had been mobilised.
“I have directed the DC and SSP of Kargil to visit the spot immediately and mobilise relief and rescue operations,” he said on X, adding that all government agencies, including disaster relief forces and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), had been put on high alert.
