8 soldiers stuck under snow after avalanche hits patrol in Siachen

Siachen: Eight soldiers are stuck under snow after an avalanche hit them in Siachen glacier at 3 pm Monday, army officials said.

The eight troopers were on a patrol. Rescue and recovery operations are underway, the officials said.

The avalanche took place in the Northern Glacier where altitude is around 18,000 feet and above, ANI reported.

Situated on the northern edge of the Himalayas in Ladakh, the glacier which reaches heights of 22,000 feet at places is prone to avalanches.

Since 1984, India and Pakistan have lost more soldiers to adverse weather than combat in Siachen, the world's highest and coldest battlefield.

In February 2016, 10 soldiers were killed in a massive avalanche in the glacier. Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad, who survived for six days buried under 25 feet of snow, later died at an army hospital in Delhi.

Koppad was among the 10 soldiers who were swept away by the avalanche on February 3 while guarding the Sonam post at an altitude of 20,500 ft.