Post date: Apr 09, 2012 2:58:16 PM
Pakistan army chief reviews search and rescue operations where an avalanche buried 139 people. Travis Brecher reports.
PAKISTAN-AVALANCHE ARMY CHIEF - Pakistan's army chief visits the north of the country on Sunday to review a rescue operation that's been launched in the Siachen glacier to recover at least 124 soldiers and 11 civilians trapped by an avalanche.
Hope is fading fast - there has been no sign of survivors more than 24 hours after over 80 feet of snow buried an army battalion headquarters early Saturday.
And local media reported snowfall on Monday which could hamper rescue efforts
The avalanche covered an area over a kilometre wide.
The army said 240 troops were taking part in rescue operations.
Between 10,000 and 20,000 Indian and Pakistani troops are stationed in the mountainous border region.
But military experts say the inhospitable climate and avalanche-prone terrain have claimed more lives than gunfire.
Travis Brecher, Reuters