14 dead, 16 missing in arms depot fire in Kashmir

Awantipora (South Kashmir), Aug 13: Fourteen people, including 11 Army firemen, two labourers and a woman were killed while 16 others, including an officer, are still missing after a devastating fire destroyed 40 per cent of the permanent sheds in the 21 Field ordinance depot at Khandroo in south Kashmir.

Talking to reporters here today, GOC-in-C Northern Command Lt General H S Panag said the exact number of casualties will be known only when the situation becomes clear.

He said so far one officer, nine other ranks, 13 Army firemen and two civilian labourers are missing after the fire.

However, a defence ministry spokesman confirmed that bodies of nine firemen have been recovered and handed over to their family members this afternoon.

Two labourers working in the depot, two firemen and a woman were confirmed dead yesterday.

He said search for those missing was going on in the depot.

Lt General Panag said the last blast took place today at 1020 hrs. ''However, we will have to wait for next 48 hours before entering the depot,'' he added.

He said about 40 per cent of the 25 permanent sheds of the depot have been affected due to the fire.

In reply to a question, he said there were eight officers, 25 Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) 198 other ranks of the Field Ordnance Depot (FOD). Besides this, there were 15 JCOs and 57 other ranks, he said, adding that out of 277 civilian labourers, only 97 had checked in on that particular day.

He said out of 71 Army firemen, only 25 had checked in. Thirteen of them are missing while two had died, he said.

Earlier, x x x Eds picking up here from line one para one of Dr 34, Fire-Kashmir-arms depot-lead casualties two last Awantipora.

UNI