Shopian, Dec 14, KNT: A team of Forest Protection Force from Shirmal Shopian Unit of South Kashmir Monday morning intercepted a Tata Mobile loaded with illegal timber at Takwan village of Keller Shopian.
The drivers of the vehicle (JK03-2359) fled on seeing the forest officials. The Tata Mobile loaded with approximately 76 cft timber, was seized and the forest department launched an investigation to unearth the network of timber smuggling in the district.
It is worth mentioning that a combing operation was carried out recently in the forest in Shopian to curb timber smuggling.
An official told news agency KNT that drive fled from the spot and a hunt has been launched to track him down. He said the speeding vehicle turned turtle when intercepted.
Divisional Forest Officer Shopian meanwhile, urged the people to desist from carrying out any illegal activities in the forest areas and instead “cooperate with the department in protecting the open wealth.” (KNT)
