Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 26

The Army today said the body of the soldier who was reported missing after an avalanche in the Turtuk area of Ladakh had been retrieved, taking the toll in the incident up to two.The soldier was identified as Rifleman Sunil Rai, an Army official said. Two soldiers — Rai and Lance Havildar Bhawan Tamang — were buried under snow at 8 am on Friday when an Army patrol in Turtuk was hit by an avalanche.Tamang was rescued from the avalanche site yesterday. He was in a critical condition and later died. Tamang is survived by his wife, a six-year-old daughter and his parents. Rai is survived by his parents and two younger brothers.It was the second time this month that the Army suffered casualties in avalanche-related incidents. Last week, two soldiers on surveillance duty at a post in the Kargil sector were hit by an avalanche. One soldier was rescued immediately, but the other was found dead three days later.