Another unauthorized pony operator on Mata Vaishno Devi track held

May 24, 2025

KATRA: Another unauthorized pony operator was caught by Police on Mata Vaishno Devi track on Friday.

At approximately 0800 hours, while conducting patrolling near Geeta Mandir under the jurisdiction of Police Post Banganga, police personnel intercepted a man descending from Sameer Point towards Banganga accompanied by a pony.

Upon being questioned, the individual identified himself as Sandoor Singh, son of Kaku Ram of Khwas, Daleri Rajouri, J&K.

During further checking, he was asked to produce a valid service card authorizing him to operate as a pony handler on the SMVD track. However, he failed to present any such document and admitted that he was operating without registration.

By engaging in pony services without authorization, the individual willfully violated the orders issued by the SDM, thereby compromising the regulatory and safety norms enforced on the pilgrimage route.

Taking cognizance of the matter, a case FIR No. 148/2025 U/S 223(a) BNS has been registered at Police Station Katra and further investigation is going on.

Meanwhile, Katra Police also arrested two drug peddlers and recovered 4.56 grams of heroin-like substance from them.

Police intercepted a suspicious Scooty bearing registration number JK20A-3371. During checking and frisking, Police team recovered 2.36 grams of heroin-like substance from the rider, identified as Kahar Singh son of Baldev Singh of Migrant Colony, Talwara while 2.20 grams heroin was recovered from the pillion rider Kuljeet Singh, son of Sher Singh of Chiladh, Arnas A/P Gran Morh, Reasi.

Both the accused were immediately taken into custody. In this regard, a case FIR No. 147/2025 U/S 8/21/22/29 NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Katra.

Both the operations were conducted by the Police team-led by SHO Katra, Khyatimaan Khajuria, under the supervision of SDPO Katra, Dr Bhishm Dubey.