Mines explode in Mendhar sector amid forest fire

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Jammu, January 16

Several landmines in the Mendhar sector exploded following the forest fire in the areas along Line of Control (LoC). Army personnel and the Forest Department along with locals are engaged in controlling the fire.

Advisory issued

• The authorities have already issued an advisory to the locals to not venture near the border fencing as the area has become dangerous.
• Jahangir Khan, SDM Mendhar, said forest fire may have occurred due to negligence or deliberate act by someone but it is a matter of investigation

The authorities have already issued an advisory to the locals to not venture out near the border fencing as the area has become dangerous.

Forest fire in Balakote and Mendhar are raging for past many days. Officials said that the fire, which broke out in a forest along the LoC in the mountainous area of Poonch district, is spreading.

The fire in Mendhar started on January 5 from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) side. Locals believe that Pakistani Army triggered forest fire to divert the attention of soldiers so that infiltration by terrorists can be eased.

The forest fires are common in the area in summer season and this is a rare incident when fire was raging even during winter season.

Landmines which were planted years ago to thwart infiltration attempts are still present near the border fence. The mines sometime get displaced from their locations due to rains and also reach the farmland near LoC causing injuries to the locals.

Jahangir Khan, SDM Mendhar, said forest fire may have occurred due to negligence or deliberate act by someone but it is a matter of investigation.

The fire has caused damage to forest and also loss of life of animals. “There have also been blasts of landmines in these areas. Civil and Army are working together to douse the fire. People should not visit the areas close to fence for safety purpose” the SDM added.