Jammu Kashmir Police Seize 13 Vehicles in Crackdown on Illegal Mining | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police have seized 13 vehicles in separate operations across central and south Kashmir as part of an intensified crackdown on illegal extraction and transportation of minor minerals, officials said on Thursday.

In central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, police seized six vehicles — five tractors and one tipper — in the jurisdictions of Police Station Kangan and Police Station Lar. The vehicles were allegedly transporting material extracted illegally from the Nallah Sindh without mandatory permissions. Acting in coordination with the Geology and Mining Department, police teams intercepted and impounded the vehicles on the spot.

Police said illegal extraction results in revenue loss to the public exchequer and poses a serious threat to the region’s ecological balance. Authorities reiterated their commitment to protecting natural resources and warned that strict legal action would be taken against those involved in unlawful extraction, transportation or trade of minerals.

In south Kashmir’s Shopian district, police seized seven tractors during separate operations in the Zainapora and Turkwangam areas. A police team from Police Station Zainapora intercepted one tractor allegedly involved in illegal mineral extraction without valid royalty documents. A case (FIR No. 16/2026) has been registered and investigation is under way.

In a related operation, a team from Police Post Turkwangam seized six tractors engaged in unauthorised mining in Sugan and Turkwangam. FIRs numbered 17/2026 and 18/2026 have been registered, and further investigation has been initiated.

Police urged the public to report illegal mining activities, assuring that the identity of informants would remain confidential and that stringent action would be taken against violators.