THANJAVUR/MADURAI/HASSAN: The toll in snow avalanches in Jammu and Kashmir over the last 72 hours has risen to 20, with 15 of them being soldiers. While a civilian was killed in a fresh snow slide in Uri on Friday, the Army recovered bodies of four missing soldiers from the Gurez sector close to the LoC. Kashmir, according to meteorological officials, is experiencing the worst snowfall in 25 years.
B Ilavarasan from Keezhaiyur in Thanjavur district was one of the soldiers killed in the disaster. His parents, Boominathan and Amudha, are farm labourers.
They were awaiting his return next week for a delayed Pongal break. A B.A. graduate, Ilavarasan joined the Army in 2012 and served in the 51 Rashtriya Rifles in Kashmir. While Boominathan appealed to the government to return his son’s mortal remains at the earliest for final rites, the district administration said there was no confirmation about the date of arrival.
A 26-year-old sepoy, C. Sundarapadi from Madurai district has also reportedly died in the avalanche. Speaking to the Express Sundarapandi’s brother-in-law Ranjith said that hailing from an agricultural family, Sundarapandi always dreamt of joining the uniformed services. His dream materialised when he was studying B.com. Sundarapandi was married to Sugapriya, who currently is nine months pregnant
Sandeep Shetty from Devihalli taluk in Karnataka was also among the soldiers killed in the avalanche. Sandeep was supposed to get married on April 22 and his sudden demise has left his family in a state of shock. Sandeep, whose grandfather also served in the Army, joined the service amid opposition from family members.
Sandeep was a very dynamic person, recalled cousin Gururaj, adding that he remembered the minutest of details. “Sandeep often shared his views about unity, the integrity of nation and patriotism,” he added. Hassan MP and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda claimed he had requested the Army to send his mortal remains at the earliest.