Five timber smugglers apprehended in Bandipora

Bandipora, April 03: Five people have been apprehended in Halmatpora Aloosa for alleged timber smuggling during an operation conducted by the forest field staff of Ashtangoo Block on Tuesday night, an official said.

The arrests, the officials said, took place in compartment 9/Kh on the intervening night of April 1-2 under the supervision of Block Officer (BO) Firdous Shah.

They said a substantial quantity of illegal timber was also recovered.

According to officials, the team acted on a tip-off, following which an operation was launched to catch the culprits red-handed on Tuesday night. Moreover, the seized material has been taken into custody, and legal proceedings have been initiated.

Further investigation is underway to identify any more individuals linked to it.