Srinagar, Dec 16: Six soldiers of Assam Regiment were killed while as one went missing after they were buried under an avalanche in Siachen sector on Sunday morning, officials said.
 Giving details, a senior Army official of Udhampur based northern Command said that the soldiers were killed when an avalanche hit a solider column of seven personnel during the their inter-post movement. He said that incident took place in the Hanif sub-sector.
 “A solider section of 1st Assam Regiment, which is part of Siachen brigade was moving to another post, when the avalanche struck,” he said the soldiers were buried under the snow.
 The senior Army official said that six bodies were recovered in rescue operation. “One solider is still missing, probably he was buried under the snow. Rescue operations have been halted as the area is witnessing heavy snow fall,” he said and added that once the snowfall stops rescue operations to locate the soldier would be started again.
 Srinagar based Defence Spokesman Lt Col J S Brar termed the incident as tragic. In a statement he said: “Our posts at a height of over 17000 feet came under an avalanche in sub- sector Hanif, in Turtuk area of Siachen. Immediately Avalanche Rescue Teams along with Avalanche Rescue dogs were launched. Six soldiers have lost their lives. One is still missing.”
 Pertinently, in April this year around 140 Pakistani soldiers were killed after an avalanche struck their area.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 16 Dec 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 16 Dec 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 17 Dec 2012 00:00:00 IST