The fire that broke out in an arms depot in Khundroo in Anantnag District of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday have killed at least 15 people, including a senior rank army official.
Srinagar, Aug 14 : The fire that broke out in an arms depot in Khundroo in Anantnag District of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday have killed at least 15 people, including a senior rank army official.
Among the fifteen bodies recovered so far one belongs to a Major and thirteen of the fire-fighters involved in dousing the flames. One dead body has not been identified.
There is still no confirmation of the total number of casualties in the incident so far, and there are reports that 25 people were missing, including one Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and two army personnel.
"Our main priority this time is to clear the orchards and the residential areas first," said Army spokesperson Lt. Col. A K Mathur.
Most of the victims were killed by explosion triggered by the fire that sent shells and shrapnel ripping through dozens of nearby villages.
Bomb squads from different parts of the country have reached here to clear the area of unexploded bombs.
Meanwhile, the army has announced a relief of Rs 50,000 for those civilians who lost their lives in the incident.
Army and civil administration are also organising medical and relief camps for the displaced residents of that area, who were evacuated when the fire broke out.
ANI