SRINAGAR: Police in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal, along with the Forest Protection Force, seized 63 cubic feet of illegally extracted timber during a joint operation in the Wussan Kangan area, officials said on Wednesday.
Deputy Inspector, Forest Protection Force, Mushtaq Ahmad Rather said that the action was initiated following a credible tip-off received late last night regarding the movement of illicit forest produce in the area.
Acting swiftly on the information, a joint team of Ganderbal Police and the Forest Protection Force laid a naka at Wussan Kangan and intercepted a small goods carrier, commonly known as a mini hathi, bearing registration number JK16B-4440. During a thorough search of the vehicle, the team recovered 63 cubic feet of illegally felled Kail timber concealed inside.
“The timber was being transported without any valid permission or documents, clearly indicating illegal extraction from forest areas,” the Deputy Inspector said.
He added that the driver of the vehicle managed to flee the spot during the operation. “While the driver escaped under the cover of darkness, the vehicle along with the illicit timber has been seized and taken into custody,” he said.
Police said efforts are underway to identify and trace the absconding driver, and further investigation has been launched to ascertain the source of the timber and possible involvement of an organised timber smuggling network. [KNT]
