TRAL: The Wildlife department and Forest Department managed to seize a vehicle carrying smuggling timber in the Tral area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, However, the driver of the vehicle and other persons managed to escape from the spot.
The timber has been smuggled from Satoora forests of Awantipora Forest Division.
A joint team of the Wildlife department and Forest department recovered and seized about 49 Cft of illicit timber from Compartment number 25 Satoora area of Tral forest division Awantipora, officials said.
“We received information from a forest department team about smuggling timber in the Wildlife Range Khanagund. After receiving information immediately our team, with assistance from the forest team, reached the spot and seized a Tata mobile vehicle along with timber logs.
We didn’t find anyone on the spot. We are investigating the matter.” , Range Officer wildlife Range Khanagund Bashir Ahmad Baba told Kashmir Reader.
“We have seized a Tata mobile vehicle laden with 49 Cft Kail timber. A total of 10 logs were seized from the spot, he said.
The smugglers along with the driver of the Tata mobile vehicle managed to escape from the spot taking advantage of darkness.
The identification of smugglers along with the driver of the vehicle is under investigation.
After conducting all the legal formalities, the seized timber will be handed over to the concerned Forest department for further proceeding into the investigation, he said.

BILAL HABIB