SRINAGAR, Jan 8 (INP): At least 12 soldiers of the Indian Army, including an officer were killed, while 15 others were injured when a group of about 350 men were swept away by an avalanche in Khilanmarg, 70 kms from Srinagar on Monday

About 70 people are said to have been rescued so far, even as several other personnel of the Army's High Altitude Warfare School continue to remain trapped.

An army spokesman, Colonel J S Brar, said that scores more were still missing as rescuers were searching for them in deep snow. Seventy personnel have been rescued, he said. Brar added that among those dead was an officer, Lt Prateek, and twelve other ranks from the Army's prestigious High Altitude Warfare School.

Some of those seriously injured are in a critical condition in a hospital in Gulmarg.

Defence sources said the group had left Gulmarg for Khilanmarg on Monday morning. Army and police rescue teams have been rushed to the spot.

INP/AH/AJ