LoC Forest Fire in Poonch Triggers Landmine Blasts as Patrols Intensify

Overview

• The blaze began Monday in the Basooni forward area of the Balakote sector and spread into parts of Mendhar by Tuesday morning.
• Officials reported nearly a dozen mine detonations as flames moved through dry vegetation in the mined forward belt.
• Security forces reinforced multi‑tier deployment and stepped up patrolling along vulnerable stretches near the Line of Control.
• Authorities cautioned that intense fires can degrade surveillance and create temporary gaps in the anti‑infiltration obstacle grid.
• Division‑wise 2025 figures show Sindh logged the most incidents at 67 affecting 111.06 hectares, while Kulgam recorded the largest area loss at 307.85 hectares.