Srinagar March 30 (KNS): In a significant operation against organised crime, Police in Baramulla have successfully busted a timber smuggling racket operating across the Kashmir Valley. This marks the first FIR registered under organised crime for timber smuggling in the region.

Acting on credible intelligence, police received information that a group of smugglers was illegally felling willow trees from government land (Rakh) in Rakh Duslipora, Nowgam Circle (Gund Ibrahim). The stolen timber was being transported in a Tata Mobile vehicle (JK18D/2556) for illegal sale in Pattan and nearby areas.

Responding swiftly, police teams intercepted and seized the vehicle along with 25 stolen timber logs.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelAccordingly, a case vide FIR No. 50/2025 has been registered at Police Station Pattan under Sections 324(3), 112(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and an investigation is underway.

The prime accused, John Mohd Bhat, a resident of Naina Batpora, Pulwama, fled from the scene but was later tracked and arrested from Pulwama. Further arrests and recoveries are expected as investigations continue.

Police remains committed to taking strict action against organised crime and environmental offenses to safeguard public resources and uphold the law.(KNS)