Ganderbal, Jan 7 — Police in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, along with the Forest Protection Force (FPF), seized 63 cubic feet of illegally extracted timber during a joint operation in the Wussan Kangan area, officials said on Wednesday.
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The seizure was made after security agencies received a specific tip-off about the movement of illicit forest produce late Tuesday night. Acting on the information, a joint team set up a naka and intercepted a small goods carrier — a mini hathi — bearing registration number JK16B-4440.
“During a thorough search of the vehicle, 63 cubic feet of illegally felled Kail timber was recovered,” said Deputy Inspector, Forest Protection Force, Mushtaq Ahmad Rather. He added that the timber was being transported without any valid permission or documents, indicating illegal extraction from forest areas.
According to officials, the driver of the vehicle fled the spot under the cover of darkness when the interception took place. “While the driver managed to escape, the vehicle along with the illicit timber has been seized and taken into custody,” Rather said.
Police said efforts are underway to identify and trace the absconding driver. An investigation has also been launched to determine the source of the timber and to probe the possible involvement of an organised timber smuggling network operating in the area.