Intensity of explosion in ammunition depot decreases, toll five

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Srinagar, Aug 12 (UNI) The intensity of explosions in the Army ammunition depot, which is in flames for the past 36-hours in south Kashmir, has decreased and efforts are going on to control the fire.

Five people, including a woman and an army fire service jawan, were killed and more than 50 others wounded in the fire which later triggered explosions in the 21 Field Ordnance Depot at Khandroo, about ten km from Anantnag' at 0900 hrs yesterday morning.

A defence ministry spokesman said the incident was accidental but two militant outfits Jamait-ul-Mujahideen (JuM) and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) have claimed responsibility.

The spokesman told UNI this evening that the intensity of explosions had died down since this afternoon.

"We still hear sound of some explosions after longer periods," he said, adding the intensity has decreased considerably.

''Our rescue teams have now entered the camp and now the major thrust is on removing unexploded shells and control fire.'' the spokdesman added.

Regarding casualties, he said it was very difficult to state how many soldiers, civilians and firemen were killed or wounded.

However, official sources said a woman, Jameela, was killed when she was hit by a shell.

She and other villagers had gone to their homes in the close vicinity of the depot. Another person was killed in similar circumstances in another village, he said.

The spokesman said more than 40 animals were also killed and hundreds of houses damaged in the incident.

The fire has been controlled from spreading but the search parties are moving cautiously to avoid any casualties, he added.

The health department X X X Eds pick up here from Para 6 of DR 7 ''Fire-Kashmir-Arms-Depot''.

UNI

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