18 Indian soldiers killed in avalanche, landslide last winter: Minister

"Immediate rescue efforts in terms of rescue parties constituting ice craft experts, medical representative and porters equipped with state of art equipment were mobilized to concerned locations," Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said in a written reply to Dr. T Subbarami Reddy and Smt Ambika Soni in Rajya Sabha.

"The aviation support was immediately extended to the rescue parties by highly trained aviators. Personnel requiring medical attention were evacuated by air to Base Camps / Field Hospitals / General Hospital / Army Hospital, Research and Referral (R&R), New Delhi as per the criticality of the patient," he said.

Troops being posted in high altitude areas are trained in ‘Basic & Advance’ skills in mountains and snow bound areas.

Troops posted in Avalanche Prone Areas’ are subjected to series of training in the field formation area.

Best quality of winter clothing and equipment is procured to prevent weather related casualties.

Modern means of conveyance like snow scooters are utilized to ensure timely reaction to any eventuality and reduce fatigue. A number of specialized equipment have also been deployed in the avalanche prone areas, the minister said.

"Weather conditions prevailing in the sector are closely monitored by the Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment stations at Sasoma and Srinagar. The weather warnings issued are religiously followed in terms of restrictions on operation / administration related movement," the Minister said.