SRINAGAR, India, Feb 11 (AFP) - Six paramilitary soldiers died in fresh avalanches in Indian Kashmir Friday as thousands of passengers stranded on a highway for days by heavy snow sent frantic mobile phone appeals for help.
The soldiers were killed after avalanches swept away two bunkers of India's Border Security Force, guarding the de facto Kashmir border with Pakistan, in northern Kupwara district early Friday, an army spokesman said.
"Thirteen personnel were rescued by the Indian army of whom five were injured," BSF's deputy inspector general K. Srinivasan told AFP. But searchers using tracking dogs recovered the bodies of six missing personnel.
Since Monday, avalanches have claimed 24 lives, including 15 soldiers.
Meanwhile, at least 3,000 people whose vehicles were stranded on a highway in frigid temperatures for the last five days were sending home urgent rescue messages, residents of Srinagar, summer capital of revolt-hit Indian Kashmir, said.
The people were stuck along a 50-kilometre (30-mile) stretch of highway connecting Srinagar with Jammu, the winter capital, officials said.
Villagers and security forces were helping provide food and blankets. Some passengers were being housed in public buildings.
On Thursday, Indian airforce helicopters made several sorties to airlift old, women and children but poor visibility was hampering flights.
Most of those stranded set out from Srinagar Sunday when snow triggered avalanches and landslides blocking the highway.
Abdul Rashid said he was stuck inside a bus at Ramsu, 130 kilometers (80 miles) south of Srinagar.
"We're losing hope. Kids and women are shivering in the cold and if we're not airlifted, we'll certainly die," he told AFP using a mobile telephone on which wails of women and children could be heard in the background.
"My father send me an SOS (Save Our Soul rescue message) this (Friday) morning saying they were in bad shape," said Burhan Yasin, 19.
Srinagar residents said they feared a repeat of a tragedy in 1995 when over 100 people died after being stranded by snow on a highway. Police said no deaths had been reported yet but added they had rescued two women from a bus who had fallen unconscious but who were now in good condition in hospital.
Rashid said local vendors were selling passengers kangris -- traditional clay and wicker heating pots in which coals can be burnt -- to keep them warm.
But he said there was no sign yet of government assistance.
"We've seen no one coming to our help," he said.
The state government said in a statement it had set up an emergency committee, including top army commanders, to monitor relief operations.
02/11/2005 11:14 GMT - AFP