Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, June 14: Major forest fire has engulfed several area in Jhangar and Baba Khori area near the Line of Control in Nowshera sector.
Official sources said that the fire started from that side of the Line of Control on Saturday morning and then spread into this side of the LoC in Jhangar sub sector of Nowshera. Natural vegetation including many pine trees were severely damaged in the fire. Wild life species were also perished in fire. The Army and Forest authorities have sounded alert in this sector and adjoining villages and hamlets.
Army soldiers were assisting Forest field staff and locals to contain fire since last night. The people from Baba Khori, Manpur, Bhajnowa and several other hamlets, spent sleepless last night due to spreading fire and increased temperature in the surrounding.
A Forest officer said that Range officer, Suresh Kumar was monitoring the fire fighting work and it was contained in some areas by this afternoon. Locals also without caring for their own lives helped fighting fire along with Army and Forest men.
Fire brigade was also called and the Army water tankers were pressed into service in some areas near vital defence installations to control fire, the official added.
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