Police crackdown on illegal mining in Shopian, Pulwama

Shopian/Pulwama, Mar 1: Police have seized 22 vehicles and heavy machines and registered multiple cases during a major crackdown on illegal mining in south Kashmir’s Shopian and Pulwama districts, officials said.

In Shopian, a patrol team from Police Post Turkwangam intercepted two tippers and a tractor allegedly involved in unauthorised extraction and transportation of minerals. Officials said the vehicles were operating without valid royalty receipts or mining permissions.

A case (FIR No. 20/2026) under relevant legal provisions has been registered at Police Station Zainapora, and investigations are underway.

In a separate operation in the Heff area, another police team from the same post seized a tipper and a JCB machine allegedly engaged in illegal mineral extraction. A second case (FIR No. 21/2026) was registered at Police Station Zainapora in connection with the incident.

Police said illegal mining remains a recurring issue in parts of Shopian, leading to environmental degradation and significant loss of government revenue. Officials reiterated that the drive against such activities will continue.

Meanwhile, in Pulwama district, police carried out a night-long operation across several locations, seizing 17 vehicles and heavy machines allegedly used for unlawful extraction and transportation of minerals.

Acting on specific inputs, coordinated raids were conducted in Rahmoo, Parigam, Rabitar, Nowpora, Wampora, Dairy Farm Pulwama and Lasipora.

At the Dairy Farm area, police seized one dumper, four tippers and an LNT machine on the spot. In Lasipora, teams confiscated six dumpers, one tipper and four JCB machines allegedly involved in illegal mining and transport.

Cases have been registered at the concerned police stations. At Police Station Pulwama, FIR No. 26/2026 has been filed under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 3 of the Prevention of Public Damage Act. At Police Station Litter, FIR No. 23/2026 under the same provisions has been registered. Investigations in both cases are ongoing.

Police described illegal mining as a serious threat to the environment and public infrastructure and reiterated a zero-tolerance approach, urging citizens to report unlawful activities.