Baramulla, July 05: Police on Wednesday said they apprehended three timber smugglers involved in the cutting down of illicit forest timber at Nambla Uri and Khanpeth Singhpora areas of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
A police official said that acting swiftly on intelligence inputs, the police team carried out a well-coordinated operation which resulted in the arrest of two individuals from Nambla C Uri.
“Farooq Ahmad Jungle, son of Noor Wali, and Mashkoor Ahmad Jungle, son of Noor Din, both residents of Nambla C Uri, were found to be engaged in the illegal felling of forest timber and selling it at inflated prices,” he said.
The official said that 57 cubic feet of illicit wooden plank forest timber was recovered from their possession.
In a separate operation, the police apprehended Manzoor Ahmad Dar, son of Ali Mohammad, a resident of Khanpeth. Manzoor Ahmad Dar was actively involved in the unlawful cutting down of forest timber and profiting from its illegal trade, the police official said, adding, “48 cubic feet of illicit wooden plank forest timber was recovered from his possession in Khanpeth Singhpora.”
Police said that cases under relevant sections of the Indian Forest Act have been registered at Police Station Uri and Pattan, paving the way for a comprehensive investigation into these illegal activities. “Police are determined to bring the culprits to justice and curb the rampant smuggling of timber that threatens the region’s rich biodiversity,” the official said.
The police have urged the citizens to report any suspicious activities related to illegal logging and forest exploitation to ensure the sustainable conservation of our forests and wildlife.
