By Riyaz ul Khaliq <br>
ANKARA (AA) – Ten people were buried under snow Friday when an avalanche hit civilians along the border between India and China in disputed Jammu and Kashmir.
Local media reports said that three of the 10 died and their bodies were recovered while the search for others is ongoing in the Ladakh region, reported Indian daily Express.
“The incident took place when the civilians were digging snow in the area,” the report said. The army and local police are conducting rescue operations. The incident is reported to have happened at 7:30 in the morning (0130GMT) today.
Khardung La is a mountain pass in the Leh district of Ladakh, made up of two districts in Jammu and Kashmir bordering China. The district experienced minus 12 C (10.4 F) temperature today, reports added.
The Indian Border Roads Organization (BRO) is engaged in the search and rescue mission along with police, disaster teams, and the army.
“Rescue operation launched after civilians got buried under snow. It is believed that they were digging snow at Khardung La in Leh. Digging triggered a snow slide and civilians got buried. We are fearing that the civilians are trapped,” a local district administration official said.
This winter Kashmir has seen severe cold and heavy snowfall. More snow and rainfall have been predicted.
Kashmir, a Muslim-majority Himalayan region, is held by India and Pakistan in parts and claimed by both in full. A small sliver of Kashmir is also held by China.
