Several landmines explode amid forest fire along LoC in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch

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Several landmines exploded following a forest fire along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Wednesday, officials said.

The fire started in the forest area across the border and spread to the Balakot sector of Mendhar subdivision on the Indian side. The fire also prompted a security alert, they said.

At least half-a-dozen landmines, part of an anti-infiltration obstacle system, got activated due to the fire but there was no report of any damage.

Efforts were on to control the fire when the last reports came in, the officials said.

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Army troops are keeping strict vigil and are on high alert to ensure that there is no infiltration attempt by terrorists from across the border, they said.

Meanwhile, authorities in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district on Wednesday withheld the salaries of seven block development officers (BDOs) for alleged poor performance in development work.

District Development Commissioner, Doda, Vishesh Paul Mahajan stopped the salaries of seven BDOs for poor performance in achieving the targets under district capex and area development plan, an officials spokesman said.

Subsequent to the review meeting of the progress of physical and financial achievements by the Rural Development Department and in view of poor performance, the salary of 7 BDOs is stopped with immediate effect till further orders,¿ an order issued by the DDC reads.

The officers are BDO Bhaderwah, BDO Bhalla, BDO Changa, BDO Jakyas, BDO Khellani, BDO Marmat and BDO Thathri, the spokesman said.

The BDOs have been asked to improve their performance to avoid further action as warranted under the rules, he said.

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