21 dead, 9 missing in ammo depot fire in Kashmir

Awantipora, South Kashmir, Aug 13 (UNI) Altogether 21 people, including an officer and 15 Army firemen, two labourers and a woman, were killed, while nine others were still missing after a devastating fire destroyed 40 per cent of the permanent sheds in the 21 Field ordnance 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 were missing after the fire.

However, a defence ministry spokesman confirmed that bodies of one officer, 13 firemen and an unidentified person have been recovered. The bodies of the firemen have been handed over to their family members.

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

There was also a major blast reported in the depot at 1940 hrs tonight, after which, army parties have entered the area.

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 were 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