Islamabad: Rescue workers have recovered some bodies of Pakistani soldiers who were buried alive at the Siachen Glacier early Saturday when an avalanche smashed into their camp, the military said.

An avalanche smashed into a Pakistan army camp Saturday burying at least 100 soldiers in the area on the de facto border with India, the military said.

Troops with sniffer dogs, aided by helicopters, were frantically trying to find signs of life in the snow after the avalanche engulfed the remote camp in mountainous Gayari, Siachen, in disputed Kashmir.

A team of doctors and paramedics has also been rushed to the high-altitude region, which suffers extreme weather conditions – temperatures on the strategic Siachen glacier plummet to minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94F).

“More than 100 soldiers of NLI (Northern Light Infantry) including a colonel were trapped when the avalanche hit a military camp,” army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas told AFP.

“The rescue mission is continuing and rescuers are trying to rescue the soldiers.” The heavily militarised glacier is 6,300 metres (20,800 feet) high and has been occupied by Indian and Pakistani troops since 1984.

Experts have previously said that India has around 5,000 troops on the glacier, while Pakistan has less than half that number. Harsh weather and the high altitude claims many more lives than actual fighting over Siachen.

Kashmir is owned in part by both India and Pakistan, but claimed in full by each of the nuclear-armed rivals.

A Pakistan military statement said the avalanche struck early on Saturday morning, raising the possibility that soldiers were asleep at the time.

“Around 100 persons of army came under a snow slide early this morning in Gayari sector near Skardu,” it said.

“Rescue efforts are on. Sniffing dogs, helicopters and troops on ground are employed on rescue efforts.” State-run Pakistan television said rescuers were facing difficulties getting heavy machinery to the far-flung area.

Siachen is close to four of the world’s 14 peaks over 8,000 metres – K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II – all of which are on the Pakistani side of the frontline.