Three persons killed as snowstorm pummels Khooni Nallah Kupwara

Kupwara: Three persons died after a snowstorm swept them at Khooni nallah along Sadhna top in Kupwara district after they fled the security checkup barring the vehicles and pedestrians from travelling towards Sadhna following the inclement weather since Monday morning, officials said.
An official said that, five persons escaped the security checkup were on way towards Karnah and upon reaching near Khnooni Nallah, a snow slide late in the night swept them, therefore two among them escaped unhurt, who were later informed the nearest Army unit for necessary help.
Later, a team of Army reached the spot and recovered three dead bodies who had also suffered severe cold in the area and were buried under snow heaps due to slide, officials said. The officials identified the deceased as Khalid Sheikh, son of Qadir Sheikh of Hajinar, Tahir Khoja, son of Younis Khoja of Hajinar, Fareed Ahmad, son of Lal Din of Shamaspora.
However, the officials said that people were already asked not to travel on, Kupwara-Karnah route after several slides occurred in different parts of the area making road unsafe for movement. All the five persons who came under snow were on their way back to home after almost four months.
As per relatives of the deceased, they were working outside the state over the months. Pertinently, the vehicular movement was halted in the aftermath of fresh snowfall and rains in the area on Monday morning.