Constant shelling leads to forest fires

The incessant cross-border shelling over the last 52 hours have triggered forest fires along the Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera and Sunderbani sectors of the Rajouri district in Jammu division.

The incident occurred on Thursday night when Pakistan shells landed in Ganaya and Manpur jungles areas of the Nowshera forest range, which exploded and kicked off a fire in the foliage. The overnight rains, however, doused the flames and the fire did not spread to neighbouring compartments.

"Eight to 10 kanal (8 kanal equal 1 acre) of land was affected due to the fire caused by the cross-border shelling. It was mostly ground fire. Our feild staff was alert and there was no damage," said Vijay Verma, divisional forest officer, Nowhsera.