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Journalism of Courage
The massive fire which has engulfed the Army’s biggest ammunition depot in Kashmir continued for the second day on Sunday with sharpnel from the explosions killing a woman and injuring three more civilians. Meanwhile, the police recovered the bodies of three persons who were killed on Saturday. The Army has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident.
“Sporadic blasts continue from the debris, but the situation has been controlled to a large extent,” Lt Colonel Anil Mathur told The Indian Express. Mathur clarifed that only one depot has caught fire and the blasts were limited to it. “The other dumps at the 21 Field Ammunition Depot are safe,” he said, expressing hope that they will be able to completely control the fire and blasts within the next 12 hours.
Anantnag SSP Abdul Gani Mir who was monitoring the situation in Achabal said a woman was killed at the Kachwean Kokernag forests after being hit by sharpnel from the blasts. “With this the toll has risen to five. Today, we recovered the bodies of two depot personnel and a civilian who were killed on Saturday. Villages that fall within a three-kilometer radius of the ammunition depot are not still safe. Nobody is allowed to go there,” he added.
Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad visited Anantnag on Sunday afternoon and held a meeting with senior army officials. Azad was briefed about relief and rescue operations undertaken by army and the police.
At Achabal, the displaced villagers were eager to return to their homes. “Besides the soldiers, many civilians are also stuck inside the depot. We are praying for them,” said Zahoor Ahmad Wani of Pahloo. “Compared to last night, the intensity of the blasts has come down,” said Mohammad Ashraf, who left his house close to the depot and is staying with a relative in Achabal.
A defence spokesman said all soldiers and civilians working in the depot were safe. “There are many safe bunkers inside the depot,” said Anil Mathur.
