Two booked, one absconding after warrant issuance

Bandipora, May 01: Authorities have arrested two accused in the musk deer poaching case in Bandipora district, marking a significant development in the investigation into the killing of the endangered animal.

The arrests come days after authorities initiated legal proceedings and issued warrants in connection with the case involving poaching of a musk deer in the Bandipora forest belt, a development that had triggered widespread concern among wildlife authorities and conservation circles.

Officials said an FIR, numbered 9/2026, under Section 325 BNS and Sections 9, 39 and 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, has been registered at Police Station Pethkoot.

The arrested accused have been identified as Noorani Swathi, son of Dilpazeer Swathi, resident of Kalakote Rajouri, and Akther Ali Swathi, son of Dilpazeer Swathi, also a resident of Kalakote Rajouri. The third accused as per Wild Life officials has been evading arrest.

The latest arrests follow the earlier phase of investigation in which authorities had launched a manhunt and initiated warrant proceedings after evidence linked to the poaching incident surfaced.

Officials said investigation into the case was continuing and further legal action would follow as authorities pursued all persons allegedly involved in the wildlife crime. [KNT]