Explosions trigger forest fire at Balakote
Explosions trigger forest fire at Balakote
14 December 2009
published by www.kashmirwatch.com
India — A series of explosions believed to be triggered by the land mines planted by the troops along the Line of Control in Kulgori forest belt in Balakote area on Monday left hundreds of green trees destroyed, sources told Press Bureau of India.
They said that the fire broke out from Kulgori forest belt in Balakote area of Poonch district on Sunday evening. The fire immediately spread to Cheer, Rani Tikri and Chatali forest belts in Balakote and caused several explosions.
Sources said that the explosions were caused by the fire that triggered several land mines to explode. The land mines were planted by [Indian] troops of 13 Dogra to check infiltration.
Sources said that immediately after the incident forest officials, along with police and army rushed to the spot and tried to extinguish the fire that kept on burning till Monday morning.
Police officials confirmed to PBI that the fire has damaged several hundred green trees in the area.
We are investigating the incident to ascertain the cause of the fire, a police official said. He said that the cause of the fire is being probed.
