Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Nov 13: In a major crackdown on timber smugglers, the Kathua Forest Department, under the overall supervision of DFO Kathua, Ankit Sinha, seized four trucks loaded with fuel wood that were allegedly being smuggled to Punjab.
According to information received, acting on a credible tip-off, Forest Range Officer, Narinder Kumar and Jasrota Range Officer, Munish Gupta, led a team from the Kathua Forest Range headed by BO Headquarters, Kathua, Anshu Sharma and set up a special checkpoint (naka) with the assistance of staff from FCP Bamyal, Nagri, and Jasrota Ranges,
During the checking operation, four trucks bearing registration numbers JK02CK-8157, JK02AJ-9017, JK11D-4708, and JK02BK-4771 were intercepted and seized from the premises of Diwakar Brick Kiln, Mahi Chak, Kathua. The trucks were found loaded with forest produce (fuel wood) being illegally transported out of the Union Territory.
The forest officials also detained the drivers of the vehicles for further investigation into the attempt to smuggle prohibited forest produce outside the region.
The seizures have been officially registered under Forest Offense Reports (FOR) Nos. 35/2025-26, 36/2025-26, 37/2025-26, and 38/2025-26 at the Kathua Forest Range Office. Further investigation into the case is currently underway.
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