Srinagar: A series of landmine explosions were reported along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district after a raging forest fire swept through forward areas, officials said on Tuesday. The fire broke out in the Balakote and Mendhar sectors on Monday and spread rapidly across zones where the Indian Army has laid landmines as part of its counter-infiltration measures.
Authorities confirmed that no loss of life or injuries have been reported so far. This is the second such incident in a week in which forest fires in Poonch have triggered landmine blasts, underscoring growing concerns over fire-related risks in sensitive border areas.
Dry Conditions Heighten Fire Risk in Pir Panjal Region
A prolonged dry spell in Jammu and Kashmir has significantly increased the vulnerability of forested regions to fires. The Pir Panjal range, which includes the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri, is particularly prone to forest fires during dry months, officials said.
In these forward and sensitive areas along the LoC, the Army maintains a 700-kilometre-long anti-infiltration fence. To further strengthen the security grid, landmines are deployed alongside high-tech electronic surveillance systems, including sensors and monitoring devices.
When fires spread into mined zones, the intense heat often leads to chain explosions, creating loud blasts that can be heard across villages on both sides of the border.
Recurring Pattern Raises Alarm
The current situation mirrors a similar episode in January last year, when widespread forest fires triggered a prolonged series of explosions along the LoC, causing panic among local residents though no casualties were reported then either.
The risks associated with forest fires in the region were further highlighted last month, when a forest guard lost his life while attempting to douse a blaze in Anantnag district.
Authorities and disaster management teams remain on alert, while firefighting efforts continue amid challenging terrain and dry weather conditions.