Handwara, Nov 27 (KNS): A raging forest fire broke out in the dense Mawer forest range of Nowgam sector, Handwara, late Wednesday evening, prompting a high-stakes rescue and firefighting operation that stretched into the night. Range Officer Mawer Shiekh Iqbal was among the first responders on site, coordinating efforts to contain the blaze, which locals described as "fiercely spreading" through dry underbrush fueled by strong winds.

Two forest officials including Bashir Ahmad Wani and Mohammad Mohmin sustained injuries during the initial containment attempts. Their conditions are reported as stable but serious, highlighting the perilous nature of firefighting in the rugged LoC-adjacent terrain. "The fire's intensity caught us off guard, but we're committed to saving every acre," said a senior forest department official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Handwara Police, Indian Army personnel from the nearby Naugam Brigade, Forest Protection Force Langate and local volunteers swiftly mobilized, deploying fire tenders, water bowsers, and manual suppression teams. Even as darkness fell, operations continued unabated under floodlights, with "fire tenders and locals on the job" working in tandem to prevent the flames from encroaching on nearby villages.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelEyewitnesses reported Army units providing logistical support, including aerial surveillance via drones to map the fire's spread.

Authorities have urged residents to avoid the area and report any suspicious activity, while environmental experts warn that dry autumn conditions could exacerbate such blazes.

Firefighting teams from Qalamabad station estimate the blaze has scorched many trees so far. Investigations into the fire's cause are underway. The Forest Department has appealed for community support in reforestation efforts post-incident.

Jammu & Kashmir Forest Department has been working relentlessly since the fire erupted in Nowgam’s Mawer forests, refusing to let darkness or difficult terrain slow down containment efforts.
Sources close to the ground operation confirmed that the Range Officer of Mawer himself is actively part of the rescue and firefighting team on site, leading from the front alongside his men. “It is truly commendable how serious the Forest Department is taking this incident. They are trying their absolute best, even at personal risk, to bring the fire under control,” a local resident said, visibly moved by the officials’ commitment.(KNS)