J&K: Forest Fire Triggers Landmine Explosions Along Line Of Control In Poonch

The officials said that the fire was put off later with the help of the Army as it reached near the border hamlet. 

Fire at Trikuta hills in Reasi in J&K. ( Image Source :PTI )

New Delhi: Nearly half a dozen of landmines exploded along the Line of Control (LOC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district as a result of forest fire that started across the LOC and spread to the Indian side in the Mendhar district, said the officials on Wednesday, reported news agency PTI. 

The landmines spread out across the LOC were part of the anti-infiltration obstacle system, they said. 

"The forest fire has been raging for the past three days. We along with the Army are dousing the fire.

"The fire was brought under control but this morning it started in Daramshal block and spread fast due to powerful winds,”, Forester Kanar Hussain Shah said.

He further said that the fire was put off later with the help of the Army as it reached near the border hamlet. 

Another huge fire had broken out in the Sunderbandi area near the border in the Rajouri district which had spread to other forest areas,  including Ghambhir, Nikka, Panjgraye, Brahamana, Moghala, officials said on Wednesday, reported the news agency. 

The fire also erupted in Kalakote's Kalar, Ranthal, Chingi forests.

"The fire came from across the border and also spread to LOC areas of Upper Kangdi and Dok Banyad", the official said.

They added that the blaze was brought under control without any human loss. 

The officials also said that one more incident of fire breaking out had been reported in the agricultural fields along the International Border in Jammu district. 

The flames leapt out to several kilometres of area close to Beli Azmat border out post (BoP) of the BSF, said the officials adding that the fire was later brought down under control.