Forest fire triggers land mines on LoC

Excelsior Correspondent
MENDHAR, May 29: Major forest fire near the Line of Control in Balakote area of Mendhar Sub Division in district Poonch triggered series of explosions of land mines since wee hours today.
Official sources said that powerful explosions along the LoC also created panic among the local villagers of Balakote and adjoining areas, during morning hours but later they came to know that forest fire has caused devastation in the area.
Sources further said that fire started from that side of the fencing and then it spread to a major portion on this side of the LoC. It said that alert was sounded in the entire area by the security agencies sensing intrusion attempts of the militants, taking advantage of smoke and fire. The local Forest and Army authorities launched operation to contain fire. They also put the villagers of the area on alert.