Mendhar/Jammu, Dec 7: A forest fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district triggered a series of landmine explosions on Sunday, creating tension in the forward areas though no damage or injuries were reported. Officials said the blaze erupted in the Balakote sector near the zero line at around 10 am and quickly spread across the dry forest belt, setting off multiple blasts in the anti-infiltration minefield.
According to initial assessments, at least six landmines planted as part of the security grid detonated as the flames advanced through the vegetation. Security personnel stationed in the area remained on alert as the fire continued to move unpredictably along the rugged terrain. The LoC’s forward zones are heavily mined as part of a multilayered obstacle system created to deter infiltration attempts by terrorist’s crossing over from the Pakistan administered side.
Officials monitoring the situation said the fire posed operational challenges as both the blaze and the subsequent explosions complicate access for teams attempting to control the spread. The dense foliage, steep slopes and presence of unexploded ordnance make firefighting efforts particularly risky in this sector. Despite the difficulties, attempts to contain the fire were underway, and additional resources were being marshalled to prevent it from encroaching deeper into the security perimeter.
Forest fires in the border belt often ignite accidentally during the dry season, but once they spread into minefields, they can trigger multiple chain explosions. Such incidents also highlight the vulnerabilities created by extreme weather conditions and environmental factors along the LoC, where military infrastructure is closely integrated with forested landscapes.
Officials said they are closely watching the direction of the fire as sudden wind shifts could intensify the blaze or trigger additional landmine detonations. Army units and local firefighting teams are coordinating response measures to prevent the flames from moving toward populated areas or military installations.
The situation remained fluid at the time of reporting, with the fire still active and efforts ongoing to douse the flames. Authorities said they expect the incident to be brought under control soon but cautioned that operations in mine infused zones require careful handling and cannot be rushed.