Forest fires trigger landmine explosions along LoC in Poonch

Raging forest fires have triggered over two dozen landmines along the line of control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, police said Wednesday.

Police told IANS in winter capital Jammu, "Forest fires raging along the LoC in Mendhar sector of Poonch district have triggered explosions of over two dozen landmines in the area.

"Troops of 5 grenadiers have been battling these fires which refuse to die down and are fast spreading there. Teams of fire fighters from the local forest departments are assisting the army to bring the fire under control.

"The landline explosions have damaged many night vision devices and sensors installed to check infiltration in the sector", a senior police officer said.

Villagers living living close to the LoC in this sector have been frightened by the deafening explosions.

Army personnel and forest department field staff are digging trenches to isolate the forest so that these do not spread further.