SWABI: Plantation on another mountain caught fire here on Sunday after a huge blaze engulfing Karamar mountain was brought under control on Saturday.

Fire brigade has been called to put out the fire on the Ajmir mountain in Topi, said relevant officials.

Like the Karamar mountain fire, it was not immediately known as to how the fire broke out on Ajmir mountain. However, soon after knowing about the fire the district administration took prompt action and called the fire brigade, they said.

Assistant commissioner, Topi, Ehteshamul Haq said fire brigade from Gadoon Amazai Industrial Estate had been called out and the firefighters had reached the Ajmir mountain.

When contacted, another official said if there was need the fire brigade from Tarbela Dam would also be called, hoping that the fire would be brought under control.

It is to mention here that in the absence of Rescue 1122, rescue teams from Mardan and Nowshera district were called to put out the fire at Karamar mountain after five days.

The officials of district administration, forest and environment department and Rescues 1122 staff worked round the clock to put out the fire.

Swabi deputy commissioner Salman Lodhi had told mediapersons that a control room was established at the district headquarters soon after the fire erupted at the Karamar mountain.

According to ISPR, the Army Aviation helicopters took part in extinguishing the fire. The helicopters made nine sorties carrying Bambi Buckets to put out the blaze.

The district administration officials and local politicians lauded the efforts of Rescue 1122, saying that despite the difficult terrain they worked day and night to control the fire.

Meanwhile, some representatives of the local government demanded registration of an FIR against the four watchmen of the mountain for their failure to timely inform the officials of district administration about the blaze.

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2019