Army, IAF Launch Major Operation to Tackle Massive Forest Fires in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland

India, Feb 18 : The Indian Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF) are carrying out sustained operations to combat large forest fires in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, deploying helicopters, ground personnel and specialised equipment in difficult mountainous terrain.

In Arunachal Pradesh’s Walong sector in Anjaw district, flames that erupted on February 13 have been met with coordinated aerial and ground action. According to the IAF, helicopters have dropped nearly 1,39,800 litres of water in repeated sorties, successfully bringing the blaze under control in several affected pockets.

Simultaneously, firefighting missions are underway in Nagaland’s Dzukou Valley. Mi-17 V5 helicopters are lifting water from Padumpokhiri Lake in Dimapur and targeting hotspots near Japfu Peak. Operations are being conducted amid steep slopes, thin air and low visibility, adding to the complexity of the mission.

Earlier sorties in the Lohit Valley region were carried out at altitudes exceeding 9,500 feet, with precision drops along narrow ridgelines to prevent further spread. Defence officials described the effort as round-the-clock coordination involving aerial reconnaissance, heavy machinery and ground teams working in tandem.

A defence spokesperson in Guwahati attributed the fires largely to prolonged dry weather and jhum cultivation, a traditional slash and burn agricultural practice prevalent in parts of the Northeast.

Authorities said sustained helicopter support has been critical in remote areas where access by land is severely limited. With dry conditions persisting, security forces and local administrations remain on high alert to tackle any resurgence and protect the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.