Two massive avalanches in snowbound regions of Indian-controlled Kashmir killed at least nine soldiers, and at least 10 others were feared trapped in a military camp that was partially buried under snow.
Colonel K.S. Grewal said three of the soldiers were killed in the mountainous area of Sonamarg and six were killed at the massive army camp in Dawar, a town close to the heavily militarised ceasefire line that divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan.
Rescue workers in Dawar pulled out 13 survivors who were being treated at a local army hospital.
Ten soldiers there were trapped under the snow.