Dehradun: Two mountaineers missing from the Nanda Devi Massif in Uttarakhand since Sept 26 are dead, the army said here today.

The two mountaineers who were part of a navy and Indian Mountaineering Federation (IMF) expedition perished in an avalanche while trying to climb the Pindiri Glacier in Bageshwar district, an army release said here today.

Efforts are on to trace the bodies, it said adding high precision search equipment could be used for the purpose. Chief minister B C Khanduri expressed grief over the death of the two mountaineers whose identity was not disclosed.

The army has used helicopters and highly trained personnel besides dog squads in the search operation so far, it said.