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| Landmine explosions trigger major forest fires in Mendhar | | Fire spreading, growing stronger | |
Early Times report
Jammu, March 12: A devastating fire is reported to have erupted in Balakote forests of Mendhar tehsil in Poonch district following explosions of landmine blasts along the Line of Control.
Sources said fire erupted at around 7 PM last evening in compartment number 145 at Balakote in Mendhar area of the district Poonch and since then it continues to grow stronger.
“Trees spread over more than a kilometer have perished so far and the fire continues to grow stronger,” Nazir Ahmad, concerned Block officer of the forest department informed over phone.
He said that the area is under the control of 5 Assam regiment of the army and lies close to the Raj Takeri Forward (438) post.
The fire, sources said, is threatening to engulf every thing which comes in its way. “Extreme heat has also led to the detonation of eight mines planted on the border leading to death of several wild animals,” the sources added.
According to the Nazir Ahmad, the block officer, the area has thick forest cover with ‘Cheer’ tress and is home to precious wildlife animals including Hiran (Deer), Cheetah, Pigs besides birds including the Peacock.
“The heat generated by the fire is so intense that we have not been able to access the area besides our rescue work has been hampered by the presence of mines in the area.” Nazir Ahmad said, adding, “The army authorities are asking for written assurance on part of any causality to the staff.”
Only rain can prevent the fire from spreading which, he said, was most unlikely and added that it may stop on reaching the other side as the streams flowing towards Pakistan can prove an impediment to the fire.
“Incase the fire spreads from road side, we have kept our staff ready to face any challenge and we are ready to stop it.”
If sources are to be believed, the heat due to raging fire and the thickened cloud cover has even led to the problems for the army deployed in the area.
Another victim of this fire, sources said, is likely to be the border fence on the LoC.
“The extreme heat generated by the fire could damage the pillars and even melt the iron wires leading to a hole in the border fence,” the sources added.
When contacted the army’s spokesman based in Jammu, he expressed ignorance about any such incident. “There are no such reports,” he said.
Interestingly, P. K Bhat, SDM Mendhar said that the civil administration is caught in such a situation that the officials can afford to do very little to control the fire.
“The area is under the control of the army and civil administration is unable to intervene,” Bhat, told
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