Death toll touches 116 in Jammu and Kashmir floods 11000 rescued

At least 28 people lost their lives on Saturday as the death toll in the worst flood to hit Jammu and Kashmir in the last 50 years mounted to 116, while Army rescued 11,000 people to safety.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh along with Union minister Jitendra Singh reviewed the situation in the state and assured the Omar Abdullah government of full support on all aspects of relief. As many as 28 people have died in the Jammu region, state officials said adding, of these 14 people died in Udhampur districts in incidents of house collapses, three in Reasi district, one in Doda district.

Ten bodies of the bus passengers were recovered today in Rajouri. The bus carrying 63 passengers was washed away in flash-flood in Rajouri on Thursday. With today's recovery the number of total bodies recovered has gone up to 35.

With this, the total deaths in Jammu region gone up to 106, while ten people have died in Kashmir Valley.

"Over 107 people have died in Jammu and Kashmir due to flash-floods, landslides and house collapses," Rajnath told reporters in Jammu after the visit.

"The situation is critical. We have watched the scene of destruction," he said. As many as 2,500 villages have been affected by the floods and 450 villages have marooned, Rajnath said, adding, a large number of houses have been destroyed and road and bridges damaged.

He said that 8 teams of NDRF and 6 helicopters of IAF have been pressed in rescue and relief operations and they are doing a commendable job.

China Liberation Army intrudes 25 km deep in Ladakh

Chinese troops are reported to have entered 25 to 30 km deep into Indian territory in the Burtse area in Ladakh on Sunday and were still sitting on the ground on Monday with flags reading “This is Chinese territory, go back” in their hands. However, Army sources in New Delhi said no such incident had taken place but added that transgressions usually take place by Chinese troops due to differences between both countries in their respective perception of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

But news agency reports from Leh on Monday said a patrol of Indian troops noticed the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) personnel on Sunday while moving from their base towards the higher “new patrol base” post in Burtse area of North Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir. The area is at an altitude of 17,000 feet. These reports cited sources as having said that the troops, after walking barely 1.5 km from their base, spotted the Chinese personnel in Indian territory 25 to 30 km from the perceived Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Adhering to newly-drafted standard operating procedures, the Indian troops apparently returned back to their base but went on a patrol again to the “new patrol base” post in the early hours of Monday. However, the team found no change in the situation as it noticed the PLA personnel still sitting on the ground with flags reading “this is Chinese territory, go back” in their hands, the reports said, adding that a quick reaction team had also accompanied the Indian patrol but nothing could be achieved as the Chinese refused to budge from their position. Finally, the Indian troops reportedly returned to their base and informed their senior officers.

Sources in the paramilitary ITBP did not say where the said incident had taken place but added that transgressions do occur. The area where the incident took place is reportedly near the spot where Chinese troops had pitched their tents last year that had led to a tense three-week stand-off.

The Indian border patrol apparently attempted to reach the “new patrol base” from a place known as “Nallah one”, near its base. A satellite image of the area was likely to be taken to ascertain whether the Chinese PLA have pitched in tents like it did last year, the reports from Leh cited sources as saying, adding that there was a possibility of some tents being erected by the Chinese troops to facilitate their movement deep into the Indian territory.

The Burtse area, which is adjacent to Daulat Beg Oldie(DBO), forms part of the huge Depsang plains which India regards as its own territory. However, the Chinese side have been claiming it to be part of their territory as it gives them a tactical edge over the area.