Army & IAF douse wildfire near India-China border in Arunachal

Itanagar: A wildfire that broke out about a week ago near Kaho village along the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw district has been successfully doused by the Indian Army, an official said.According to a post by the Spear Corps of the Army on X, the fire erupted along the western ridge of the Lohit River in Anjaw district. In a swift and coordinated operation, troops of the Spear Corps, supported by the Indian Air Force (IAF), contained the blaze, ensuring no damage to civilian life or property.The IAF, in a separate post, said its Mi-17V5 helicopters dropped 12,000 litres of water in the rarefied Himalayan air, demonstrating courage, precision, and commitment to protecting lives and fragile ecosystems.A senior police official, who did not wish to be named, on Friday said the fire originated on the other side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) on Jan 21. It spread into the Indian side on Jan 27, engulfing Kaho, Sheru area, and Madan Ridge near the LAC. The exact cause of the wildfire remains unknown. Preliminary estimates suggest that around 450,000 sq metres of forest area have been destroyed, though the final assessment is still underway. The official confirmed that no casualties have been reported.The fire was brought under control through joint efforts of the Army, the IAF, and firefighters from the Hawai fire station, the official added.Meanwhile, the Army also contained another wildfire reported at Tongkorla in Mechukha, Shi-Yomi district of Arunachal Pradesh. Responding to a request for assistance from a landowner, a quick reaction team carried out firefighting operations under challenging terrain and weather conditions, defence PRO Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said.The team successfully contained the blaze, preventing potential loss of human life, property, and forest cover.