Police intensify crackdown on illegal mining, narcotics in Pulwama, Shopian

Shopian, Mar 18: Police in south Kashmir’s Pulwama and Shopian districts have intensified action against illegal mining and narcotics-related activities, seizing multiple vehicles in separate operations, officials said.

In Pulwama, police carried out a special operation in the Akhal and Drubgam areas of Rajpora as part of an ongoing drive against illegal mining. During the operation, police teams seized vehicles allegedly involved in the illegal extraction and transportation of minerals, including two JCB machines, one dumper and two tractors.

Accordingly, FIR No. 34/2026 and FIR No. 35/2026 have been registered under relevant provisions of law, including Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 3 of the Public Property Damage (PPD) Act. Further investigation in both cases has been taken up, officials said.

In a separate action in Shopian, police seized a Swift car bearing registration number JK13J-3347, valued at approximately Rs 6,80,960, as part of a sustained crackdown on narcotics-related activities.

The vehicle belongs to Ishfaq Ahmad Koka, son of Abdul Majeed Koka, a resident of Melhura Zainapora, and was identified as having been acquired through proceeds generated from the illegal sale of drugs and narcotics, officials said.

The seizure was carried out under the provisions of Section 68 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in connection with FIR No. 04/2026 registered at Police Station Zainapora, in strict compliance with legal procedures and protocols.

Police reiterated their commitment to act firmly against illegal mining and eradicate the drug menace, urging the public to cooperate by sharing information related to such activities.