Indian soldiers killed after Kashmir outpost buried by avalanche

Bodies recovered after landslide of snow descends at Batalik near cease-fire line

Snow-covered mountain peaks in the heart of Kashmir (Fayaz Kabli/Reuters)

The Indian army says it has recovered the bodies of three soldiers whose mountainous post was buried under snow in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Colonel Rajesh Kalia, an army spokesman, says an avalanche hit the Batalik sector Thursday and two soldiers were rescued immediately.

Kalia says the bodies of the three others were recovered Friday close to the cease-fire line dividing Kashmir between India and Pakistan.

Rain and snow have fallen in the Kashmir valley for three days, swelling rivers and streams and posing a flood threat to residential areas.

Avalanches and landslides are common in the mountainous region and have caused heavy tolls among the Indian and Pakistani armies.

India and Pakistan have fought two wars over control of Kashmir, which they both claim in its entirety.

Associated Press