PM, defence minister condole death of soldiers in Siachen avalanche

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday condoled the death of soldiers who were trapped in an avalanche at the Siachen glacier in Jammu and Kashmir's Ladakh region.

The search and rescue mission however continues.

"Demise of soldiers in Siachen is very tragic. I salute the brave soldiers who gave their lives to the nation. Condolences to their families," Modi said in a tweet.

Parrikar said: "My heartfelt condolences to the near and dear ones of our brave soldiers who were martyred in the line of duty in the most difficult terrain of Siachen. It is our duty to take care of their families."

Ten soldiers, including an JCO, went missing on Wednesday after an avalanche hit their

post located 19,000 feet above the sea level in southern side of the glacier.

According to inputs from the Army, complete blocks of snow and ice had fallen on the post burying it very deep.

A "very large" rescue team was deployed on Thursday to reach down till the post.

Heavy snow cutters and other equipment have also been put into use to clear and cut the ice blocks, but officials said the possibility of any survivors now was "remote".