Avalanches hit Indian army post, patrol in Kashmir; 6 killed

Indian paramilitary soldiers take shelter from snow inside a tent as they stand guard on the eve of the Republic Day in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017. Four members of a family and an Indian soldier were killed Wednesday when they were buried by two separate avalanches in the Himalayan region of Kashmir, officials said. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) (The Associated Press)

Indian paramilitary soldiers stand guard on the eve of the Republic Day as it snows in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017. Four members of a family and an Indian soldier were killed Wednesday when they were buried by two separate avalanches in the Himalayan region of Kashmir, officials said. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) (The Associated Press)

An Indian paramilitary soldier stands guard at a closed market as it snows during a general strike in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017. Shops remained closed Thursday as separatists called for a general strike in the Indian-controlled portion of the disputed Kashmir region on India's Republic Day. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) (The Associated Press)

The Indian army says six soldiers were killed when avalanches hit a military post and a patrol along the highly militarized Line of Control that separates the Indian and Pakistani-held portions of the Himalayan region of Kashmir.

Indian army spokesman Col. Rajesh Kalia said Thursday that a massive overnight avalanche buried a military post manned by 10 soldiers in the Gurez sector. He said three bodies were recovered and the seven other soldiers were rescued.

Kalia said another avalanche swept away an army patrol in the same area. Three bodies were recovered and rescuers were searching for other missing soldiers.

Avalanches and landslides are common in Kashmir and have caused some of the heaviest tolls for the Indian and Pakistani armies camped near the Line of Control.