Timber smuggling bid foiled in north Kashmir’s Qaziabad

Handwara, Jun 3: The Langate Forest Division officials, in coordination with the Forest Protection Force (FPF) GAMMA Unit Langate, Thursday foiled a timber smuggling attempt during a night vigil operation in the Sanzipora area of Mawer area and seized a vehicle loaded with illicit Deodar timber.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Langate Ihazaz Ahmad Punzwa told Greater Kashmir that the operation was launched following specific inputs regarding the movement of a vehicle laden with illegal timber. “Acting swiftly, a joint team of the Forest Department and FPF conducted a coordinated operation which led to the seizure of the vehicle after hectic efforts. The operation was led by the Range Officer Mawar Mohammad Iqbal and the Assistant Director FPF,” he added. “During the operation, the team intercepted a Tata Mobile vehicle bearing registration number JK09-3288 carrying illicit green Deodar round timber. The vehicle was chased for nearly half an hour before being intercepted in the Renan Qaziabad area. The driver and his accomplice abandoned the vehicle in an agricultural field and fled under the cover of darkness. The forest team, however, succeeded in seizing the vehicle and recovered seven green Deodar logs measuring around 65 cubic feet,” he added. The seized timber along with the vehicle was later taken to Divisional Forest Office Langate for further legal proceedings.