KATHUA: A Forest Protection Force (FPF) team has thwarted a timber smuggling attempt with timely action and alertness.

As per the forest department, on getting specific inputs regarding export of willow cleft, illegally out of state, a team led by Deputy Director, Forest Protection Force, Gamma Unit J03 Kathua Dherminder Sharma, assisted by Assistant Director (Adm.) Rajesh Kumar, & Assistant Director (Operation) Atul Kumar Gupta, with staff laid a Nakka on February 9 night near Basohli More, ahead of Lakahnpur toll plaza.

At about 12.00 midnight, the suspected truck was signaled at Nakka point to stop for checking but escaped the Nakka due to heavy traffic on National Highway and left for Punjab.

However, FPF team with support of senior official, immediately swung into action and with the assistance of State Police, took up the matter with Punjab Police, and intercepted the truck at Naggal.

The Truck was detained SHO, Naggal Police Station, Punjab at about 1:30 A.M. Next day, after legal formalities with Punjab Police and Punjab Forest Department, the truck was brought to FPF complex Kathua at about 6:50 A.M for further investigation.

After unloading, the team found that about 3000 willow cleft were being illegally exported out of state in violation of the Section 3,4 & 5 of J&K Willow (Prohibition on Export and Movement) Act 2002.

Accordingly, the truck along with loaded stuff was seized. Driver of the truck has also been arrested and shall be produced before Judicial Magistrate for further custody after Jama-Talashi, Medical and other formalities.

Further, necessary action regarding confiscation of seized stuff and the truck has been initiated.