3 Indian soldiers killed in an avalanche in Kashmir

SRINAGAR, India — An avalanche in Kashmir has killed three Indian soldiers along the heavily militarized Himalayan border between India and Pakistan, the Indian army said on Saturday.

A snowfall hit the northwest sector of Machil in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Friday and trapped three soldiers on patrol, Indian army spokesman Col. Emron Musavi said.

He said the three were rescued and evacuated to a hospital where they died.

Avalanches and landslides are common in Kashmir, which is divided between India and Pakistan and claimed by both in its entirety.

The avalanches have caused some of the heaviest damage to Indian and Pakistani armies camped in the area.

In 2017, at least 20 Indian soldiers were killed in three avalanches. In 2012, a massive avalanche in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir killed 140 people, including 129 Pakistani soldiers.