At least six Indian army troopers were killed and another one went missing after a snow avalanche Sunday hit their posts on Siachen Glacier near line-of control (LoC) in Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said.

The avalanche hit the posts in sub sector Hanif Sunday morning at 6:15 (local time) burying seven troopers.

"In a tragic incident today, six Indian army soldiers were killed and one went missing when their posts at a height of over 17000 feet were buried under an avalanche in Sub Sector Hanif, Turtuk area of the Siachen Glacier," said Lt. Col J S Brar, Indian army spokesman in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian- controlled Kashmir. "Immediately avalanche rescue teams along with rescue dogs were pressed in service to retrieve the bodies."

So far, six bodies have been retrieved from the snow however, the body of another trooper was still missing officials said. The rescue teams have halted the operation. According to Brar, the rescue operation was halted due to adverse weather conditions in the area.

Siachen Glacier considered as the highest battlefield in the world is located at an altitude of 7,000 meters above the sea level in Ladakh division of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

The Glacier's treacherous sub zero climate cost billions of U.S. dollars in military expenditures for India and have counted for scores of lives, more due to frostbite and high altitude sickness than combat action.

Pakistan army too occupies part of the Glacier.

Following the deaths in avalanches, defense officials have sounded a high alert and warned its troopers deployed in high altitude to take extra care while venturing out in the areas.

In February this year, 19 Indian army troopers were killed after avalanches hit their camps in the region at village Dawar- Gurez and Sonamarg, north of Srinagar city.Kashmir has a rugged terrain and landslides and avalanches are often triggered from its mountains during frequent rains and heavy snow the region receives.

Meanwhile, the authorities in Indian-controlled Kashmir Sunday issued avalanche warning for the people inhabiting upper reaches and areas close to the line-of-control (LoC).

"A medium danger avalanche warning for higher reaches of snow bound areas of Chowkibal, Tangdhar, Machhil, Keran, Jawahar tunnel, Uri and Gulmarg areas has been issued," said Aamir Ali, Coordinator Disaster Management Cell. "An appeal has been made to people living in avalanche prone areas to take precautions and avoid venturing out."

LoC is a de facto border dividing Kashmir into Indian and Pakistani controlled parts.