Rescue operation underway in the village.[/caption] CHITRAL: Over 14 people, including six children, are reported dead as an avalanche buried scores of houses in the Shershal village of Karimabad valley on Saturday night. Chitral Scouts Commandant Col Nizamuddin Shah told media that bodies of the 14 people had been recovered. At least 25 houses have been buried under the avalanche and five houses completely destroyed, he said. Six women, six children and two men are among those killed, Col Shah said. It is unclear how many people have been affected by the avalanche as yet. However, an official of FOCUS said nine people died in the avalanche while six were rescued alive. The Shershal village where the incident occurred consists of 20 houses. Karimabad is a narrow valley of small villages and hamlets that are prone to flash floods and avalanches. Eight students were buried alive in an avalanche in the same Karimabad valley in March 2016. As the main road to the area from Chitral town is closed at different points, rescue teams are unable to reach the area. Chitral Scouts said its personnel were busy clearing the snow from the main Chitral town to the Karimabad valley Meanwhile, seven security officials were injured in a second avalanche that struck two security check posts in Arandu.]]>
