Forest Officials Attached, Enquiry Initiated After Illicit Timber Seizure by Kangan Police

PTK NEWS DESK 

SRINAGAR : In a significant crackdown on illegal timber smuggling, the Ganderbal police seized a substantial quantity of illicit timber in the Kangan area on May 14. Along with the timber, the police apprehended the driver and seized the vehicle involved in the transportation.

Authorities revealed that the operation was carried out after officers from the Kangan police station set up a checkpoint at Gujjar Pati Prang. “During the inspection, a Santro car with the registration number DL3CAT-1731, driven by Tariq Ahmad Bhat, son of Gh Hassan Bhat from Najwan Kangan, was intercepted. The vehicle was found loaded with illicit timber (Kairu),” stated the police.

Following the seizure, the Conservator of Forests, Srinagar Circle, issued an order mandating an inquiry into the incident. The order specified that a committee comprising Syed Jawad ul Hassan (Deputy Director FPF Gamma Unit K-02 Ganderbal), Reyaz Ahmad Malik (Technical Officer O/o CF Srinagar Circle), and Bashir Ahmad Malik (In-Charge Range Officer Estate Range Srinagar) will investigate the case to determine the facts and identify the source of the forest damage.

The inquiry committee has been tasked with ascertaining the details of the case and fixing responsibility on any erring officials. The committee is required to submit their report along with recommendations to the Conservator’s office within three days.

In the interim, the staff of the Najiwan forest beat, along with the Beat Officer of Akhal-I, has been attached to the Forest Division Office in Sindh Forest Division, Ganderbal, pending further investigation.