Officer, 16 jawans killed in Kashmir avalanche

Srinagar, (IANS) At least 16 Indian Army soldiers and an officer were killed and 12 personnel injured Monday when a massive avalanche struck a high altitude warfare training camp in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district.

The officer killed is a lieutenant, said a defence official and added that rescue operations are going on in the north Kashmir district.

"A massive avalanche rolled down the Khilanmarg mountain, engulfing a high altitude warfare camp set up by the army," the official said.

The injured soldiers have been shifted to a hospital.

There were around 300 soldiers at the camp when the avalanche struck.