Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 1: A team of the Forest Control Room was attacked by the timber smugglers during a night patrol in the forests of Metrigam in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
Officials told Excelsior that the team was on a routine night patrolling after there were inputs of timber smuggling from Keller area of Shopian towards Takwan. It was, the officials said, upon their return from the area that the team was attacked.
“The team had seized some timber with a horse from the area and was returning via Metrigam area of Pulwama, when they were attacked by timber smugglers. Saleem Yasu, Range Officer of the area said.
While the team was being attacked with stones and lathis on the wee hours of Saturday, it pulled back and managed to get hold of one horse along with the illicit timber.
“Upon their return via Metrigam near Astaan, they caught smugglers on horses along with the illicit timber; the team tried to tackle them but they attacked in return as they were many in number,” the Range Officer said.
At around 3 a.m., the Range Officer rang up the SHO Pulwama who immediately dispatched the assistance to the team under attack.
Officials said that upon arrival of the police, the smugglers fled from the spot. “During the attack, 2 of our employees were injured and the car damaged,” the officer said.
The police have also confirmed the incident and said that they are carrying out the process of identifying the culprits which shall be completed soon.
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