NEELUM (Kashmir English): Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Forest Department has foiled a major timber smuggling attempt in Neelum Valley on Friday morning, seizing illegal deodar wood worth more than Rs5 million.
According to the forest department statement, the operation was carried out within the jurisdiction of Lawat Police Station near the Dudhnial area. The timber was being transported from Neelum to Rawalpindi.
According to officials, authorities received intelligence regarding suspicious activity involving a Pakistan State Oil (PSL) oil tanker returning from Neelum Valley.
The smugglers had loaded illegal timber in an oil tanker at a private guesthouse in Dudhnial, which was being transported secretly.
The officials from Forest Division Sharda continued the pursuit throughout the night and seized the tanker at the Changan village in the early morning.
The department officials said that a private vehicle of the smugglers was also present to protect the tanker; however, the accused managed to escape from the spot during the operation.
During the search of the oil tanker, authorities reportedly recovered valuable deodar sleepers, finished wooden frames, and other timber allegedly being smuggled from Neelum Valley toward Rawalpindi.
The incident was reported to Lawat Police Station, where the DFC reached the spot with a team, and the vehicle was shifted to UT Athmuqam along with the forest department staff.
The police registered a first information report (FIR) against the driver and took him into custody at Lawat police station.
Later, in the presence of the Forest Officer Circle Neelam Syed Mazhar Naqvi, the wood was removed from the vehicle and measured, and 28 FIRs were registered.
The initial investigations revealed that the said oil tanker was specially prepared for smuggling operations and was being used to transport illegal timber for a long time. Sources also revealed that different number plates were used on the vehicle.
Public, social, and political circles have appreciated the timely and successful action of the Forest Department and the police, and termed it as an important step for the protection of forests, the statement said.
