Mine explosion in Poonch as forest fires spread, panic among residents

Forest fires have triggered a chain of explosions in anti-personnel mines along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, officials said Saturday. No loss of life was reported in the incident, they said.

The fire broke out in Mankote and Balakote forward areas along the LoC and spread to large areas Friday night, following which several mines exploded, they said. The explosions caused panic among residents of the border area. The forest department officials, the Army and locals brought the fire under control, the officials said.

(With inputs from agencies.)