Jammu, Jan 2:
In a massive year-long offensive against illegal livestock trade, the Udhampur Police has successfully dismantled several bovine smuggling networks operating across the district. The 2025 annual report reveals a staggering scale of enforcement, marking one of the most successful anti-smuggling campaigns in the region’s history.
Under the mission #PeopleFirst and #NotoBovineSmuggling, the district police transitioned from simple interceptions to a full-scale financial crackdown on smugglers.
The police force maintained a high-alert status from January to December, resulting in record-breaking statistics for arrests and rescues. Cases Registered: 188, Total Arrests: 220 (including 8 under PSA), Bovines Rescued: 1,189, Vehicles Seized: 144 and Successful Convictions: 122.
For the first time in the Union Territory’s history under the new criminal laws, the Udhampur Police targeted the wealth of the smugglers.
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Property Attachment: In 11 major cases, the police attached 11 vehicles valued at approximately ₹1.50 crore.
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Targeting Infrastructure: Investigations proved these assets were acquired through the proceeds of illegal smuggling, leading to their immediate seizure under relevant legal provisions.
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Licensing Blow: To prevent repeat offenses, authorities suspended or cancelled 48 documents, including 28 vehicle Registration Certificates (RCs) and 20 driving licenses.
“Our strategy has shifted. We aren’t just rescuing animals; we are breaking the financial backbone of these illegal networks,” said a senior official from the Udhampur Reasi Range.
The year was marked by high-drama interceptions, including the discovery of bovines hidden in specially created cavities inside modified oil tankers and trucks. Despite these creative attempts to bypass checkpoints at Jakhani and Tikri, intelligence-led operations ensured the smugglers were caught.
The police also secured the detention of 8 habitual offenders under the Public Safety Act (PSA), ensuring that the most notorious figures in the trade remain behind bars.
The Udhampur Police remains committed to its uncompromising stance against animal cruelty. The 93% success rate in disposing of cases during 2025 sets a new benchmark for law enforcement in the district, ensuring that “the noose continues to tighten” around those who disrupt public peace through illegal trade.
