Shimla, May 27
A major forest fire that erupted in the Gilbert Trail and Upper Mall areas on the western slopes of Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh was successfully brought under control by the Indian Army on Wednesday, following an extensive firefighting operation that lasted more than 15 hours, officials said.
The fire broke out around 3 pm on Tuesday in the forested region of Kasauli Hills in Solan district and spread rapidly across the dry, densely forested terrain. Initial efforts by teams from the forest department and fire department, assisted by local residents, failed to contain the blaze as it intensified and spread further into the hills.
In response to the emergency, the Indian Army’s Kasauli Brigade launched a coordinated firefighting operation in collaboration with the Indian Air Force, civil authorities from Kasauli and Chandigarh, and other local agencies. The operation involved the large-scale deployment of Army personnel, fire tenders, and water carriers on the ground, while Indian Air Force helicopters conducted repeated Bambi Bucket sorties, using water from Chandigarh’s Sukhna Lake to douse the flames in affected areas.
Officials said the combined efforts helped contain the fire in key locations, including Gilbert Hill and Upper Mall, and prevented it from spreading into other vulnerable forest zones. Army personnel continued operations in difficult terrain by creating firebreaks, isolating sensitive patches, and extinguishing residual hotspots to prevent further flare-ups.
Aerial firefighting missions were also conducted in inaccessible areas of the forest. Officials confirmed that no casualties or injuries were reported during the operation, and all personnel and equipment deployed in the mission remained safe.
Western Command Army Commander Lt Gen Pushpendra Singh reviewed the firefighting operation and assessed the ground situation during the mission. He commended the troops for their swift response, courage, and relentless efforts under challenging conditions. In recognition of their professionalism and dedication, he awarded On-the-Spot Commendation Cards to personnel actively involved in the firefighting operation. Officials said monitoring of the affected area is continuing to ensure there is no fresh outbreak of fire in the region.
