Archive · 14 Jan 2026
Forest Fire Triggers Landmine Blasts in Poonch
A big fire in the forest near the Line of Control in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir has been burning for two days.
The fire made some hidden landmines explode.
These landmines are there to stop people from crossing the border.
The fire has spread to other parts of the forest, and the smoke is making it hard for the soldiers to see.
This year, there have been 310 forest fires in Kashmir, which have damaged a lot of forest land.
The most affected area is Kulgam, where a lot of forest has been lost.
Experts say we need better ways to warn people about fires and to put them out quickly to prevent more damage.
A forest fire along the LoC in Poonch district triggered nearly a dozen landmine explosions.
The fire started on Monday and spread to the Mendhar sector by Tuesday morning.
Security forces have increased patrols due to concerns about infiltration attempts under the cover of fire and smoke.
Kashmir Valley recorded 310 forest fires in 2025, affecting over 880 hectares of forest land.
Kulgam division was the most severely affected, with 307.85 hectares of forest damaged.
- Who
- Security forces and officials in Jammu and Kashmir
- What
- A forest fire triggered landmine explosions along the Line of Control (LoC)
- When
- The fire started on Monday afternoon and intensified by Tuesday morning
- Where
- Basooni forward area of the Balakote sector and Mendhar sector in Poonch district
- Why
- The fire spread through dry vegetation, causing landmines to detonate
- Location
- Poonch district, Jammu and Kashmir
- Duration
- Second consecutive day
- Affected Areas
- Basooni (Balakote sector), Mendhar sector
- Landmines Detonated
- Nearly a dozen
- Forest Fires in 2025
- 310 incidents
- Total Forest Area Affected
- 880.77 hectares
- Most Affected Division
- Kulgam (307.85 hectares)
