POONCH, Held Kashmir - A cross-border fire engulfed a forest here, resulting in the destruction of border fencing and minefields.
Abdul Razak Khan, a forest range officer in the Mendhar range of Held Kashmir’s Poonch district, said that the fire broke out along the Line of Control (LoC) and spread to the minefields, triggering several mine blasts.
“The fire broke out from the Pakistan side and spread to the Indian army camps.
It has also engulfed the minefields and fence line where it was impossible for us to enter as there was a blast in the mines,” Khan said.
He added that the fire caused extensive damage to border fencing and to the thick vegetation in the area.
“The fences in the forest also caught fire and the army fence line is damaged.
It has caused extensive damage to the trees in the area and we were successful to save their bunkers,” Khan added.