Srinagar, Monday, February 08, 2010: A large number of Indian Army soldiers are feared to be trapped in snow Monday after a massive avalanche struck a high altitude warfare training camp in J&K.

Although reports claimed that six soldiers are were killed and 12 injured in the incident, but Army spokesperson Colonel Vineet Sood, while speaking to a news channel, refused to confirm any causalities.

However, the spokesperson confirmed that around 70 soldiers, who where undergoing training at the camp have been rescued, while the search is on for the others. Colonel Sood also refused to put a definitive number on the number of Armymen present in the camp when the avalanche struck at around 11 am today morning.

A news agency quoted a defence official as saying, “A massive avalanche rolled down the Khilanmarg mountain, engulfing a high altitude warfare camp set up by the Army there. Twelve injured soldiers have been shifted to a hospital. About 40-50 soldiers are still under the avalanche debris.”

The official also claimed that around 300 soldiers were in the area at the time of the incident.

A police officer said six bodies have been recovered from beneath the avalanche debris.

Defence sources said the group had left Gulmarg for Khilanmarg this morning.

Army and police rescue teams have been rushed to the spot. However, the prevailing bad weather in the region and fading sunlight is hampering the search and rescue operations.

Incidentally, the Snow Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) had issued an avalanche warning last evening and advised people living in high altitude areas not to venture in the area which has been receiving heavy snowfall for the past three days.

“Avalanche warning exists in the high altitude areas for the next 24 hours. People living in the areas are cautioned to avoid movement during snowfall and not to venture out in avalanche prone areas”, SASE said.

Areas where high danger avalanche warning exists included Sonamarg, Gagangir, Bhimbat, Drass, Batalic, Dhudi and S M Hills in Kargil district.

It said areas where medium danger of avalanche warning exists included Khilanmarg, Uri, Baaz, Razdan Top, Z-Gali, Keran, Furkian top, Machil, Sadna Top, Urez, Niru, Baruab and Chowkibal in Kupwara and Baramulla districts of North Kashmir.

Areas where low danger avalanche warning exists include both sides of Jawahar Tunnel, the gateway to Kashmir, and its adjoining areas on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.