4 jawans, 2 civilians killed in Siachen avalanche

04:13 November 19

Six killed, eight personnel pulled out of avalanche debris

Four soldiers and two civilian porters died after they were trapped in an avalanche on the Siachen Glacier's northern sector on Monday, officials said.

The rescuers managed to extricate all the eight personnel from under the debris and seven critically injured persons, accompanied by medical teams providing critical care, were evacuated by helicopters to the nearest Military Hospital, where all life saving resuscitative measures were instituted.

Despite best efforts, six persons -- four soldiers and two civilian porters -- succumbed to extreme hypothermia, officials said.

20:07 November 18

The Siachen is the world's highest battlefield

Six jawans, including four soldiers and two porters, dead in Siachen avalanche hit

Srinagar: An avalanche hit Army positions in the Siachen Glacier killing six persons, including four soldiers and two porters. 

The avalanche had hit the Army positions in the northern glacier at around 3 pm today. The altitudes in the northern glacier are around 18,000 feet and above.

The Army personnel hit by the avalanche were part of a patrolling party consisting of eight persons and were in the northern glacier when the incident happened.

Avalanche Rescue Teams from nearby posts rushed to the location and initiated the rescue operation on time.

Siachen Glacier is the world's highest battlefield and more troops have been killed in weather and terrain-related incidents in the area than in enemy firing.

India has deployed troops in its territory since 1984, after Pakistan tried to usurp the glacier by sending its troops and mountaineering expeditions in the area.