A forest fire triggered several landmine explosions along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. The fire started in a forest across LoC and spread to the Indian side in the Mendhar sector.
The officials said the fire triggered the explosion of nearly half a dozen landmines that were part of the anti-infiltration obstacle system. The fire was still raging, and efforts were being made to control it when the last reports were received.
As per our sources, the fire broke out last evening, after which land mines exploded due to which a large part of the forest is affected. Since no fire extinguisher vehicle can reach the area, the forest depends on the rainfall. Also, in past months, many wild animals have been spotted in the cities, and now there is a fire in the forest; the wild animals will come, and it can be dangerous for locals.
Every year the fire breaks from the Pakistani side, and the blaze then enters the Indian territory. Officials also believe that Pakistan lit the fire to clear the area for infiltration.
