Army, Forest Officials Douse Fire In J-K’s Kellar Range

A potentially catastrophic forest fire in the Kellar Range near Bhaderwah in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district was successfully extinguished on Wednesday, thanks to the joint efforts of the Indian Army’s 4 Rashtriya Rifles and local forest officials, officials reported.

According to a statement, Range Officer Suresh Jamwal and his team spearheaded ground operations, ensuring a swift and effective response to the emergency.

The timely intervention by the Indian Army was instrumental in containing the blaze, preventing it from spreading further and causing extensive damage to the ecosystem and nearby villages, the statement added.

The operation underscored the significance of inter-agency collaboration in managing natural disasters, officials noted.

This incident follows earlier forest fires in the district, including one in Gandoh Bhalessa village on December 22 and another in the Dessa Forest Area on December 21.