Timber smuggling bid foiled in Bhaderwah

Bhaderwah, Nov 3 : Officials of Forest Division Bhaderwah foiled a major timber smuggling attempt by seizing three  vehicles including two  private cars, which were carrying the finished scants of Deodar timber in Bhadarwah Forest Division.

According to reports, despite strong contingent of territorial Forest officials and seluthes of FPF ( FPF) the smugglers managed to escape from their vehicles. However forest officer claimed to have identified the kingpin who runs timber depot and saw mill in Bhaderwah town.

Range officer Neeru Abdul Rasheed received a specific tip off that a vehicle bearing registration No JK06- 5645 was carrying illegal timber and heading towards Chinta Valley of Bhaderwah.

The team headed by Range officer under the supervision of DFO Chander Shekhar laid a trap waiting for the load carrier, but meanwhile they intercepted 2 cars bearing registration numbers JK02L - 8332 and PB35H- 3362 laden with illegal timber. The driver of all the 3 vehicle fled on seeing the team leaving the vehicles on road. The team of officials managed to seize the vehicle along with the illicit timber.

Range officer Abdul Rasheed said, "Two FIRs have been simultaneously lodged at Bhaderwah Police station beside a Departmental one has also been filed at Divisonal Forest office."

"Fourty two banned Deodar scants measuring 149 cft worth lakhs has been seized, beside the kingpin namely Haris Bagwan who fled from the crime scene with his two accomplices has been identified," Officer added saying that involvement of some forest official and SFC ( State Forest corporation) cannot be ruled out as the private vehicles carrying timber was of SFC department.

A senior officer of SFC at Bhaderwah claimed that the location on Jaie road, from where the timber was stolen, 5 officials of the department were posted there.