Landmine explosions on Line of Control in Poonch as forest fire spreads to Krishna Ghati sector

File photo of the line of control between India and Pakistan.

Series of landmine blasts were reported along the Line of Control in Poonch on Friday after the forest fire in nearby areas reached Krishna Ghati sector, a PTI report said citing sources. No casualty was reported in the explosion, the agency report added. Both Indian Army and Forest Department have launched a joint operation to douse the fire.

This is not for the first time that the areas around Line of Control have reported landmine blasts due to forest fire. Last year in November, as many as six landmine explosions were reported in Poonch due to the blaze.

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However, the officials had also said that this could be a diversion tactic by the terror groups to aid intrusion of terrorists from the other side.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir DGP Nalin Prabhat visited Kishtwar district where one soldier was killed during an exchange of fire, while four terrorists were still believed to be holed up in the area, officials said.

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The DGP visited the Singhpora-Chatroo area on Thursday, where a major anti-terror operation was underway, to review the anti-terror operation and assess the ground situation and operational strategy, a police spokesperson said.

Accompanied by IGP (Jammu Zone) Bhim Sen Tuti and DIG Shridhar Patil, the DGP held detailed discussions with senior officers from the police, army and paramilitary forces leading the operation in the dense forested terrain, she said.

(With inputs from PTI)