Illegal timber smuggling bid foiled, vehicle loaded with deodar timber seized in Renan, Qaziabad

Handwara, Jun 03: The Forest Department’s Langate Division, in coordination with the Forest Protection Force (FPF) GAMMA Unit Langate, seized a vehicle loaded with illicit deodar timber during a night operation in the Mawar area.

Officials said a suspicious vehicle movement was noticed in Sanzipora during a night vigil, prompting a coordinated operation led by the Range Officer Mawar and Assistant Director FPF under the overall supervision of the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Langate.

During the operation, a Tata Mobile vehicle bearing registration number JK09-3288, allegedly carrying illicit deodar round timber, was intercepted. However, the driver and his accomplice attempted to flee, leading officials on a brief chase.

The vehicle was eventually abandoned in an agricultural field at Renan, where the accused managed to escape under the cover of darkness. The forest team successfully seized the vehicle along with the timber and later shifted it to Langate for further legal proceedings.

Officials said efforts are underway to identify and trace the individuals involved, while further investigation into the case is in progress.