Army averts major fire incident

Jammu, Dec 30: The army today averted a major fire incident in the remote village of Jangalwar in Doda district, a defence spokesman said.

"A major fire incident in village at Jangalwar was averted by the Jangalwar-based Rashtriya Rifles battalion, today. The incident took place in the morning when heaps of haystack at the village caught fire and started spreading like wildfire," Jammu-based Defence Spokesman Lt Col Manish Mehta said.

He said that on the request of the villagers, a column of 84 personnel of Rashtriya Rifles was rushed to the incident site equipped with various hand-held fire-extinguishing equipment.

"After a gallant effort by the Jawans for nearly an hour, the fire was brought under control," he said. He said the timely action by the Army prevented the spreading of fire, which could have engulfed the densely populated village and could have caused serious damage to the lives and property of locals.

"This act of random kindness not only saved precious lives but also helped in strengthening the faith bestowed upon the men in uniform," he said.

PTI