At least three people were killed after they were hit by a snow avalanche in Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said Tuesday.

The avalanche hit the trio Monday evening in mountainous Darra Kujjan-Uri of frontier Baramulla district, around 85 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir. "Three people were buried alive under an avalanche in an Uri village yesterday," said Khawaja Ghulam Ahmad, the deputy commissioner Baramulla."We were told these people had gone to the avalanche prone area to collect wild mushrooms and herbs."

The deceased were identified as 64-year old Din Mohammed Sood, 55-year-old Mohammed Karim Sood and 30-year-old Mohammed Lateef Sood, residents of village Darra Kujjan.

The bodies were retrieved from snow and handed over to their families, officials said.

Ahmad said the area was declared avalanche prone and government had issued warnings asking people to avoid venturing near the area during bad weather conditions.

Soon after the news of avalanche spread in the area, scores of men rushed to carry rescue operation."We were successful in retrieving the bodies from the snow but failed to save their lives, "said Nazir Ahmad Sood, a local resident.

Kashmir has a rugged terrain. Landslides and avalanches are often triggered from its mountains during frequent rains and heavy snow the region receives. Endi

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