HANDWARA, SEPT 24: The Forest Department seized a vehicle carrying illegal timber in the Teerina Mawer area of North Kashmir’s Handwara, late on Monday night. The driver, however, managed to flee the scene.
According to sources, the Forest Control Room, acting on specific inputs, set up a checkpoint in Teerina Mawer. A van, an ECO bearing registration number HR10T-3441, loaded with 23.43 cubic feet of illicit timber, was intercepted. Taking advantage of the darkness, the driver escaped before officials could apprehend him.
An official from the department confirmed that the seized vehicle and timber were moved to the Control Room in Langate for further investigation. Block Officer (BO) Najum ul Saqib, in charge of the Control Room, confirmed the seizure and stated that an investigation is underway to determine the source of the timber. Authorities are working to trace the driver and other individuals involved.
