Army Officer Burnt Alive In Bandipore Blaze

SRINAGAR (ONS)- An army officer belonging to the elite counter-insurgency unit was charred to death when a fire broke out in the camp of 5 Para at on the outskirts of the district headquarters of Bandipora last night, officials said on Saturday. Four huts were also gutted in the incident.

Confirming the incident, Defense spokesman, Lt Col J S Brar, told Kashmir Observer the fire broke out at the camp located at Sonarwani on Bandipore-Gurez road, 60 km from here, around midnight (between 1.30 a.m. and 2 a.m.). The likely cause of the blaze was short circuit, while an investigation has been ordered to find it out, he said, adding four wooden operational structures were also gutted in the fire.

He said Lt Col Sarang Apte was burnt alive in the incident. Other army personnel stationed in the camp are safe, he added.

Reports said the entire area was rocked by explosions, apparently caused due to blasts in LPG cylinders that might have been lying in the camp. Some ammunition, furniture and other equipment have also been destroyed in the fire.

The fire tenders from the nearby Fire and Emergency Services headquarters rushed to the spot immediately and fought several hours to douse the leaping flames and control the fire.

Creation Of 334 Judicial Posts Within 60 Days: SC Dismisses J&K Govt’s Plea Against HC Directive

ISRO Sucessfully Docks Satellites As Part Of SpaDeX Mission

Senior administration and police officials, including the deputy commissioner, Manzoor Ahmad Lone, and senior superintendent of police, visited the place. On their part, the police have also registered a case and started investigation into the incident.

Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now

Be Part of Quality Journalism

Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast.

ACT NOW