Srinagar, March 28 -- Seven people were killed and several others injured after a massive avalanche struck the Srinagar-Leh highway at Zojila Pass in Ladakh on Friday, leaving multiple passenger vehicles stranded, officials aware of the matter said, adding that so far, five bodies have been recovered. Confirming the incident, Union minister Jitendra Singh said on X: "Saddened to learn about the tragic death of seven persons and injuries to five after an avalanche hit the vehicle at Zojila pass. My sincere condolences to the bereaved families. All required assistance is being provided to the injured." The avalanche struck vehicles at Captain-turn in Drass along the highway in the afternoon, police said. At least 12-15 vehicles were partially or fully buried under snow. Following the incident, the administration launched a rescue operation involving the police, Army, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), SDRF, and district administrations of Sonamarg and Drass. "We have recovered only five bodies so far," said Drass sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Vishal Atri. He added that seven people were injured in the disaster. The deceased include two men - M Ali and Mohd Yousuf - one boy, Asadullah, and two women, Toiba Banoo and Sahar Banoo, all residents of Ladakh, Atri said. Of the injured, five are from Ladakh and two from Kashmir. "A large stretch of the highway has been affected. When we reached the site, we saw around 12-15 vehicles under the snow. We could not access the rear side of the avalanche," Atri said. He added that rescue operations were launched from both sides of the highway, Sonamarg in Kashmir and Drass in Ladakh, with the help of the Army and BRO. "More than 100 personnel are involved in the rescue operation, along with snow clearance machines. Police, SDRF, BRO, Army ambulances and personnel from the Megha tunnel project are part of the effort. Rescue operations from the Kashmir side were hindered due to traffic congestion caused by an up-convoy," he said. The operation continued for nearly five hours from 1 pm before being halted for the night, officials said. Ladakh LG VK Saxena directed officials to mobilise all rescue teams. "I have directed the DC and SSP of Kargil to mobilise relief and rescue operations." the LG office said on X. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed condolences over the loss of lives....