Avalanche strikes Siachen base camp in Ladakh; 3 soldiers killed

NEW DELHI: Three army personnel lost their lives after an avalanche hit a base camp in the Siachen sector of Ladakh , officials told news agency PTI, on Tuesday.

The avalanche struck the Siachen base camp area, located at an altitude of 12,000 feet, on Sunday. Three soldiers, including two Agniveers, were trapped under the snow. A rescue operation was swiftly launched, and the bodies of all three personnel were recovered, they added.

The location remains one of the world’s highest and most challenging military deployments. Located on high atitude, the Siachen Glacier is known for extreme weather conditions and frequent snow-related incidents. The army has suffered several casualties over the years due to avalanches and frostbite.

The army maintains a continuous presence in the region to secure strategic positions near the line of control. Troops posted at these altitudes undergo specialised high-altitude warfare training and are equipped for survival in sub-zero temperatures.