Ganderbal May 14: Forest Department on Thursday seized a large quantity of illegally felled willow logs and foiled an alleged timber smuggling bid in the Haran Shalibugh area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, officials said.
Officials said the operation was conducted by the Haran Shalibugh Range of the Sind Forest Division following specific information about illegal felling in Compartment No. 17 of the forest area.
During an early morning raid, forest officials recovered several willow logs allegedly prepared for smuggling. The accused, however, fled from the spot before he could be apprehended, they said.
Divisional Forest Officer, Sind Forest Division, Iqbal Rasool said the seized timber was worth lakhs of rupees.
“The timber has been seized successfully. Although the smuggler escaped during the raid, he has been identified and an FIR will be lodged accordingly,” Rasool said.
Officials said further investigation has been initiated to identify other persons allegedly involved in the racket.
