Several landmine explosions have occurred along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir due to a forest fire, officials revealed on Wednesday.
The fire that broke out in a forest across the Line of Control on Monday spread to the Indian side in the Mendhar sector, they said.
The fire triggered the explosion of nearly half a dozen landmines that were part of the anti-infiltration obstacle system, officials said.
“The forest fire has been raging for three days. Together with the army, we are putting out the fire.
“The fire was brought under control but this morning it started in the Daramshal block and spread rapidly due to strong winds,” said forester Kanar Hussain Shah.
He added that the fire was later brought under control with the help of the army as it reached near the border hamlet, he said.
In Rajouri district, another huge fire broke out in Sunderbandi area near the border which spread to other forest areas including Ghambhir, Nikka, Panjgraye, Brahamana, Moghala, it said. officials on Wednesday.
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The fire also broke out in the Kalar, Ranthal and Chingi forests of Kalakote.
“The fire came from across the border and also spread to LOC areas of Upper Kangdi and Dok Banyad,” the official said.
The wildfires were brought under control, with no loss of life, they said.
Another massive fire has broken out in agricultural fields along the International Border (IB) in Jammu district, officials said.
The fire spread to several kilometers of area near the BSF’s Beli Azmat (BoP) drilling rig, they said, adding that it had been brought under control.
