3 timber smugglers arrested in Uri

Baramulla, March 18: Police on Saturday arrested three smugglers for their alleged involvement in illegal timber cutting in the forest area of Namba Uri in the Baramulla district of North Kashmir.
According to a police spokesperson, the accused smugglers were identified as Ali Mohd, Farooq Ahmad, and Gh Mohd Bhat, all residents of Nambla A Uri.
Police said that the smugglers were reportedly involved in the cutting down of illicit forest timber, which they were selling at exorbitant prices.
“The police, acting on a tip-off, carried out a raid in the area and recovered about 35 cubic feet of illicit forest timber from their possession,” the police official said.
Baramulla police said that a case has been registered under sections of the Indian Forest Act at the Uri police station, and investigations have been initiated.
The operation was conducted by the Baramulla Police under the supervision of Shokat Ali-JKPS, SDPO Uri, and Inspector Imtiyaz Ahmad, SHO Police Station Uri.
“Illegal timber smuggling has become a major problem in the region, causing significant damage to the environment and wildlife. The Jammu and Kashmir Police have been taking strict measures to curb such activities and have been successful in apprehending several smugglers in recent times,’ the police official further said.