3 people killed as snowstorm pummels Khooni Nallah Kupwara

A snowstorm swept Khooni Nallah near Sadna Top Tangdhar in Kupwara district of north Kashmir overnight, killing three people while two others had a miraculous escape. Reports said that five persons were on way to their home in Karnah when the blizzards trapped them near Khooni Nallah area at around 1:00 a.m. They had reported jumped security check up and taken the route despite advisory asking people to avoid travel in wake of the inclement weather. Three persons could not move out and collapsed due to severe cold even as two persons, who managed their escape, informed police and army. Soon after getting the information, police and army launched a rescue operation and found the three persons dead, officials said. The deceased have been identified as Abdul Khalid Sheikh son of Qadir Sheikh, Tahir Khoja son of Younis Khoja, both residents of Hajinar and Fareed Ahmad son of Lal Din of Shamaspora. A police officer said the three persons could not move out of the blizzard and died due amid severe cold.