IAF choppers help douse forest fire in Pathankot

Tribune News Service

Pathankot, May 28

A massive forest fire, which engulfed a 100-acre area at Karoli village near the Mamun Army Cantonment, was brought under control after a joint operation by the Pathankot district administration, Air Force and the Army.

A thick blanket of smoke enveloped Pathankot city. Information about the fire was received by the Army on Sunday evening following which fire tenders and water tankers were pressed into service. In view of the intensity of the fire, the Army sought the help of the Deputy Commissioner.

DC Neelima informed Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sanjeev Tiwari who rushed to the spot at Karoli village and engaged his men in dousing the flames. Hundreds of Army personal too joined the fire-fighting operation.

However, an hour later the DFO sent an SOS to the DC, saying strong winds were making the situation difficult and cited some technical reasons and told the DC that the fire could be controlled only through an aerial fire-fighting exercise.

The Deputy Commissioner called up the Chief Secretary, who then got in touch with the Air Chief Marshal. An hour later, a helicopter from the Udhampur airbase was sent.

The chopper began the operation on Monday morning. Officials claimed that rice stubble burning in the area made things difficult for the chopper which was equipped with a water carrier.

The DFO said there could have been several reasons for the forest fire.

“Either it could be an accident or a handiwork of some miscreants. A major part of the affected area has been brought under control now,” the Divisional Forest Officer said.

At the time of filing this report, operations were under way though officials maintained that a major part of the fire had been doused.