"It is a matter of deep regret that 14 army men who are involved in protecting the Indian borders have died in an avalanche in Kashmir," she said in a statement.
She also regretted that a native of Tamil Nadu, B Ilavarasan of Thanjavur district, was one of those killed.
The army men were involved in protecting the country from enemies, she pointed out and hailed their sacrifice.
The bodies of four missing soldiers were today recovered from avalanche-hit Gurez sector in Kashmir, taking the death toll in the incident to 14.