Russian trekkers rescued

Seven Russian trekkers, who lost their way during a snowstorm in
Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, have been rescued, officials said here
on Sunday.

A hunt was on to trace the remaining three members of the team, they said.

The seven, who were rescued from Kalindikhal area, had been sent to
the Russian embassy in New Delhi after medical check-ups.

SDM (Joshimath) Nidhi Yadav said the Russian team had neither taken
permission from the district administration nor informed it about its
trekking plans. Despite a ban on trekking on Kalindikhal route owing
to adverse weather conditions, the team went ahead with its plan, he
said.

Last month, Indian Air Force choppers rescued four Russian trekkers on
the same route after they were caught in a blizzard.

The search for five Army mountaineers, missing since September 26, was
on, the officials said.