In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Air Force (IAF) today joined fire fighting operation to control a massive forest fire in Daya Dhar forest at Udhampur district.<br />''<br />''The fire started on sunday evening and engulfed a vast area, damaging hundreds of trees. The forest protection force, along with fire department and emergency services personnel, police and civilian volunteers from nearby villages are making efforts to put off the blaze.<br />''<span style="color: #222222;"><br />''However, IAF deployed its choppers carrying water from early morning today to douse the fire after the call of Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur. <br />''<br />''The cause of the fire is not known immediately but it is believed that it started after the dry grasses caught fire due to rising mercury. The exact damage caused to the forest and the wildlife would be known only after the fire is controlled completely.</span><br />