CHITRAL, April 5: Three people were killed after an avalanche hit their home in Shah Salim village here on Thursday morning. The village is situated near the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan and is about 150 kilometres from the valley. Those killed in the avalanche have been identified as Karim Khan, his wife and son.

Chitral is in the grip of severe cold because of unprecedented snowfall and most areas are covered under a layer of more than 10 feet of snow. Reports reaching here from different parts of the valley say that a large number of cattle head have perished due to severe cold and shortage of fodder. In other snow-related incidents in the Terich valley of upper Chitral and Arkari valley, reports say at least six people have been killed in two days.

Meanwhile, relief operations continued on Thursday in the avalanche-hit areas as helicopters of the Pakistan Army and the Aga Khan Foundation airdropped tents, blankets and essential commodities among the marooned people. The DCO said two helicopters of the Pakistan Army and one the AKF were taking part in the operation.