Rafiabad: The Forest Department seized two horses and a consignment of illicit timber during a late-night operation on Monday in the Rafiabad forest range.
Officials from the Forest Department revealed that they had received a tip-off regarding illegal activities in the area. Acting on this information, a checkpoint was established near Renan-Tangwar, where they intercepted smugglers transporting illicit timber.
Reports suggest that some individuals from the upper belt of Rafiabad have been felling green trees from nearby forests and smuggling the timber to urban areas of Baramulla for hefty profits.
Although the smugglers managed to escape under the cover of darkness, the officials successfully seized two horses loaded with illicit timber. Approximately 12 cubic feet of timber, along with FPF K10, was confiscated and subsequently shifted to a nearby forest office along with the horses.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of the Range Officer (RO) Rafiabad, in coordination with the Block Officer (BO) FCR Langate and the Block Officer HQ Langate, following credible input regarding illicit timber movement, according to an official.
The official affirmed that anti-smuggling operations will continue, stressing that those responsible for damaging the forest will not be spared.
