Karnah : A massive fire broke out early Monday morning in Nard village of Tangdhar, reducing two residential houses and one shop to ashes. The properties belonged to locals Ali Asghar Khan, Abdul Hamid Khawaja, and Mushkoor Ahmad Khawaja. The blaze caused damages worth several lakhs and left multiple families homeless, now forced to live under the open sky.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire spread rapidly, leaving no time to salvage property or belongings. Mushkoor Ahmad Khawaja’s shop was completely destroyed, leading to a significant financial setback for the family.
The Indian Army, local administration, and fire services rushed to the spot and made every effort to control the fire. However, officials said the poor condition of the Tangdhar-Nard road severely hampered timely action. Fire service vehicles struggled to access the site, further aggravating the situation.
Locals expressed their anguish, stating that despite repeated requests over the years, the road remains in a dilapidated condition, with no proper oiling or repair work. They urged the concerned departments to take the issue seriously and initiate urgent repair work.
Meanwhile, a team led by the Tehsildar of Karnah visited the site to assess the damage and assured the victims of financial assistance under the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund.
Residents have appealed to the Kupwara District Administration and MLA Karnah to ensure immediate relief for the affected families and prioritize the repair of the Nard road to prevent such challenges in the future.