Two Army soldiers killed in avalanche in north Sikkim

Two army personnel who were part of an 18-member snow clearance group died after being hit by an avalanche in north Sikkim.

New Delhi: A Lt Colonel and a soldier of the Indian Army were killed in an avalanche in the mountainous Lugnak La region of north Sikkim on Thursday, officials said.

The incident took place while the team was clearing snow at 11:30 AM near Muguthang.

3 officers, including CO, 2IC, 12 JCOs and 23 soldiers were hit by the avalanche.

The two personnel were part of an 18-member group which came under the avalanche, they said.

"A patrolling-cum-snow clearance party came under avalanche in North Sikkim on 14 May," a senior Army official said.

"Inspite of the best efforts of the rescue team and local formation an officer Lt Col Robert TA and sapper Sapala Shanmukha Rao who were trapped under the ice lost their lives," he said.

(With inputs from PTI)