SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Death toll of Indian troopers in avalanches that hit them near the Line of Control (LoC), dividing Kashmir, has rose to 14 as rescuers Friday pulled four more bodies from the piles of snow, officials said.
The avalanches struck Wednesday night at two locations in the frontier Tulail of Gurez area in Bandipora district, 165 km north of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
"Today morning four more bodies have been retrieved from the huge mounds of snow in Gurez and with it the death toll of troopers in the avalanches that struck at two places has risen to 14," Indian army spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia told Xinhua.
"The search operation by rescuers has been called off and none is missing now."
According to Indian army officials the avalanches hit a military post and swept away a patrol, burying 21 troopers.
While one officer and six troopers were rescued alive from the post, all the 11 members of the army patrol were killed underneath the avalanche.
Officials said they initiated rescue operation immediately in the area despite harsh weather conditions and continuous snowfall.
Avalanches hit the region at several locations following heavy snowfall for three days since Tuesday.
Four members of a family were killed Wednesday after their house collapsed due to heavy snowfall in the area. Besides, a trooper was killed, while several others were rescued alive in injured condition after an avalanche hit their camp in Sonamarg area of the adjacent district.
On Thursday, a 60-year-old man died after he came under an avalanche in Uri sector of Baramulla district.
Authorities have evacuated dozens of families from avalanche prone areas following warnings issued by the administration in the wake of continuous snowfall.
Meanwhile, an improvement in the weather conditions was witnessed Friday as no snow or rain was recorded in plains.
Last year, 10 Indian troopers were buried under an avalanche on Siachen Glacier near the LoC in the region. It took several days for the military to retrieve their bodies.
The LoC is a de facto border that divides Kashmir into India and Pakistan controlled parts.
Kashmir has a rugged terrain. Landslides and avalanches are often triggered from its mountains during frequent rains and heavy snowfall, the region receives.
