In a joint late night operation, Police and Forest Department teams have successfully foiled an attempt to smuggle Khair Wood in Agore area here.
A police official said, on Friday night, a Maruti 800 car (JK08 9794), coming from the Showa side, was signaled to stop at a naka point at Agore Chowk.
“On seeing the naka party, the driver tried to escape, but our teams acted swiftly and managed to stop the vehicle after a brief chase,” he said.
During the inspection, he said, approximately three quintals of Khair wood was found loaded in the car without any valid documentation.
According to him, the driver of the vehicle was identified as Mohammad Ishrat of Showa, Tehsil Bhalwal in District Jammu.
“We have seized the vehicle and the timber on the spot. The wood was being transported without a permit, which is a violation of the Forest Act,” the police official said, adding that the material appeared to be meant for illegal sale and profit.
Accordingly, he said, a formal report has been filed at the concerned police station.
“All necessary legal formalities are being completed, and the case will be handed over to the Forest Department for further action under the relevant provisions of law,” the police official added.
