Heavy snowfall kills several across J&K

: "As many as fifteen people have been killed near the Jawahar tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir following an avalanche. Rescue operations have been initiated for the nearly 40 people who are still believed to be buried under the snow. In Poonch, 12 bodies have been recovered from under the rubble of houses that were destroyed by an avalanche.

Meanwhile, contact has been established with 300 soldiers mostly from the ITBP who have been trapped in the Jawahar tunnel since Friday. Due to heavy snowfall over the last few days the tunnel has been blocked on both sides. The heaviest snowfall in 15 years has brought normal life to a near halt in the Kashmir valley, which remained cut off from the rest of the country for the third day today.

With power supply, telecom and road links severely hit, the state civil administration has declared a red alert in the valley. The army's help is also being sought in providing food, fuel and shelter to the needy and to clear the vital road communication within and to the valley."