DEHRADUN: At least six Sikh pilgrims were killed and 10 others injured when an avalanche struck Ghangharia area near Hemkund Sahib shrine in Chamoli district this evening.

The avalanche washed away the road on which they were trekking to reach Hemkund Sahib (5329 meters), situated at the dizzying heights of the Garhwal Himalayas.

Police sources said the rescue and relief operation has been launched in the area but it is being hampered due to the darkness and bad weather.

A team of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is also expected to join the police personnel to help in rescue operations tomorrow.

The injured have been admitted to a hospital in Ghangharia.

However, the identity of the deceased is yet to be ascertained, the police sources said the victims were sikh pilgrims and belonged to Punjab.