Mendhar forests on fire, dozens of mines explode

S K Nazki/Mendhar (Poonch) March 12: Dozens of landmines laid around Line of Control (LoC) reportedly exploded after the compartment number 145 of Balakote forests in Mendhar in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir caught fire.

The cause fire which according to sources destroy about one kilometer of forests is said to be the landmine blast which took place near forward at Raja Tikri and Point 438 border post from Indian side.

However, Army denied the reports and said that the cause of fire was yet to be known. “No explosion has taken place in Indian side” Defence sources official told NAK.

Clouds of Smoke have engulfed the forest area along LoC in Balakote area of Mendhar sector, sources said adding fire had spread up to Mela Complex area along LoC last evening.

Locals said that hundreds of green trees have gutted and even there is threat to wild animals if the fire spreads to other areas.

No forest official has been able to visit the forest area till date and efforts are made to avoid further damages, a local resident told News Agency of Kashmir adding that about seven landmine blasts near LoC were clearly heard by the people of Mendhar during the night hours.