68 bovines rescued, 10 smugglers held

DK Sudan

Poonch, May 29

The illegal smuggling of bovine animals to the Kashmir valley via Mughal Road is on the rise as the route has been opened for transportation and public movement.

Though the police have formed a strategy to nab the smugglers, they have devised new ways to smuggle the bovine animals.

Sources said the smugglers were taking help of locals who graze their cattle on the roadside and even in some hilly areas to get their animals cross the Pir ki Gali.

Meanwhile, acting on a tip-off, the Poonch Police laid nakas on various points on the Mughal Road last evening and rescued 68 bovine animals and arrested 10 smugglers. The police also impounded seven vehicles used for smuggling animals.

The SSP, JS Johar, said, “We have been receiving inputs that the smugglers have been using various routes like village paths and hilly terrains and nullahs to avoid the main road. Accordingly we laid some nakas and arrested 10 bovine smugglers along with seven vehicles used for the purpose.”