Avalanche kills six on Siachen glacier in Kashmir Published duration 18 November 2019 Related Topics Kashmir tensions

image copyright Getty Images image caption The Siachen glacier is known as the highest battlefield in the world

Four soldiers and two porters have died after an avalanche struck on the Siachen glacier in Indian-administered Kashmir, an army official has said.

The eight-man patrol was close to 19,000 feet (5,800 metres) up in the Himalayas when the avalanche hit.

Rescue teams managed to pull all the men out and helicopters evacuated seven critically injured members of the group to a nearby military hospital.

Six of the men later died of hypothermia.

Pakistan and India have failed to demilitarise the Siachen glacier despite talks. It is known as the highest battlefield in the world.

India seized control of the glacier in 1984, and since then more soldiers have died from the conditions than in combat.

A group of 10 Indian soldiers died when an avalanche hit a military base in the region in February 2016.