On May 26, 2026, a significant forest fire erupted in the Gilbert Trail and Upper Mall areas of Kasauli, Solan district, Himachal Pradesh. The Indian Army, in conjunction with the Indian Air Force (IAF) and local civil authorities, successfully contained the blaze.
The fire began at approximately 3 p.m., prompting an immediate response from the Army’s Kasauli Brigade. The operation, extending over 15 hours, involved extensive ground firefighting efforts by Army troops, who were supported by fire tenders and water carriers. Concurrently, IAF helicopters executed multiple ‘Bambi Bucket’ sorties, sourcing water from Sukna Lake in Chandigarh to extinguish the fire from above.
Thanks to these coordinated efforts, the fire was significantly contained in critical areas such as Gilbert Hill and Upper Mall, preventing its spread into more vulnerable forest zones. All personnel and equipment involved in the operation remained safe, and no injuries or fatalities were reported among civilians or responders.
Lt. Gen. Pushpendra Singh, AVSM, SM, Army Commander, Western Command, visited the affected area to oversee the operations. He praised the personnel for their swift and courageous response under challenging conditions, awarding On-the-Spot Commendation Cards to those actively engaged in the firefighting efforts.
The Army continues to work under difficult conditions, creating firebreaks, isolating vulnerable areas, and extinguishing residual hotspots to prevent flare-ups. Aerial firefighting operations are ongoing in areas that remain inaccessible.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, May 28, 2026
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