Friday, February 18 2005 21:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: Five workers, engaged in snow clearing operations, went missing while 21 others, including two journalists, were rescued as four avalanches hit the 300-km Jammu-Srinagar national highway today (Feb 18, 2005).

The avalanches struck around Jawahar tunnel, a Defence spokesman said.

Seven Beacon personnel, engaged in road clearance, were rescued by Army when the first avalanche struck near Shaitani Nallah, he said.

The second avalanche occurred on the southern side of the Jawahar tunnel, the gateway to Kashmir valley. Nine Beacon personnel were rescued from there.

The third avalanche hit north of the tunnel. A Beacon Task Force Commander and two ANI journalists were rescued while five workers were still missing.

Another avalanche took place in an open area on the highway which remained closed to vehicular traffic for the third successive day today, the spokesman said.