Anantnag/Mendhar: A forest guard died while attempting to douse a forest fire in the Khadar area of Kapran in south Kashmir Anantnag district on Sunday, while at least half a dozen landmines exploded due to a forest fire along the Line of Control in Poonch district on Sunday, officials said.
An official said that the deceased has been identified as Gull Mohammad Shah, a resident of Changoo and in charge of Compartment 48 of the Hengipora Range in Verinag.
He said Shah was engaged in fire-fighting operations when he collapsed.
The body has been shifted to District Hospital Anantnag for necessary medico-legal formalities, they added.
Meanwhile, at least half a dozen landmines exploded due to a forest fire along the Line of Control in Poonch district on Sunday, officials said.
The fire broke out in the Balakote forest along the zero line around 10 am, detonating about six landmines in the anti-infiltration obstacle system, the officials said.
There was no report of any damage in the explosions, they said.
The forward areas along the LoC are dotted with landmines as part of an anti-infiltration obstacle system to prevent terrorists from intruding into this side from across the border.
The fire was still raging, and efforts were on to douse the flames, the officials said.
