Forest fire along LoC in J-K’s Poonch sets off landmines

The wildfire in the Balakote and Mendhar regions of Jammu and Kashmir continued unabated for the third day on Tuesday. This prolonged blaze has led to the detonation of numerous landmines along the Line of Control, as reported by officials. The fire initially ignited in a forest along the LoC in the hilly terrain of Poonch district and is progressively expanding.
Several landmines in the Mendhar sector exploded following the forest fire, the officials said. Personnel of the army and the forest department along with locals are engaged in controlling the fire, they said.