Excelsior Correspondent
MENDHAR, Oct 6: Scores of land mines exploded after devastating forest fire that broke out in the forward areas of three sectors in Mendhar Sub Division of Poonch district today.
Army tried to douse the blaze but it continued to spread along LoC. Several land mines exploded in the blaze and some equipment installed along the LoC to check infiltration were damaged. The deafening sounds of land mine explosions were heard from far off places.The sky rocketing flames of the forest fire were seen from Mendhar town with dense smoke billowing out.
Official sources said that fire broke out in the forests along LoC in Mendhar, Balakot and Balnoi sectors this morning.
“The fire reportedly started from PoK side, which spread wildly close to the fence and shifted on this side of the border in Mendhar sector, Balakot and Mankot sector” official sources added.
They said the fire covered a larger area along the LoC in Mendhar sector, which put Army personnel guarding forward posts on alert.
“Due to forest fire, many mines also exploded while the loud sound of explosions created panic among the border dwellers,” they said.
However, no loss of any life or major damage to the property was reported.
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