Srinagar: Continuing its drive against illegal mining, the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday seized 15 vehicles allegedly involved in the unauthorised extraction and transportation of minerals in Shopian, Ganderbal, Pulwama and Anantnag districts.
In Shopian district, police from Police Post Berthipora seized three tractors engaged in illegal mining activities during routine patrolling. One tractor was seized from Batamurran Keller, while two others were intercepted in Takwan Keller.
Police said the vehicles were found extracting and transporting minerals without the required permissions. Subsequently, FIRs No. 34/2026 and 35/2026 were registered at Police Station Keller and further investigation was taken up.
In another action in Shopian, police from Police Station Imamsahib seized three more tractors involved in illegal mining. An FIR, numbered 20/2026, was registered and investigation has been initiated.
In central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, police seized five vehicles, including three tractors and two tippers, in the jurisdictions of Police Station Ganderbal and Police Station Lar.
The vehicles were allegedly being used for extraction and transportation of minor minerals without valid authorisation. The matter was referred to the Geology and Mining Department, which imposed penalties under the relevant provisions of law.
Meanwhile, in Pulwama district, a police team from Police Station Litter established a checkpoint at Panjran Lassipora and intercepted a JCB, a dumper and a tipper allegedly involved in illegal mining.
The seized vehicles included a JCB bearing registration number JK18C-7721, a dumper bearing registration number JK13E-1633 and a tipper bearing registration number JK13A-8007. Police registered FIR No. 43/2026 under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 3 of the Public Property Damage Act and launched an investigation.
In Anantnag district, police during naka checking at Chattergul intercepted a tractor-trolley bearing registration number JK04H-3023, allegedly carrying illegally extracted mining material.
The vehicle was being driven by Mushtaq Ahmed Malik, son of Nazir Ahmad Malik, a resident of Chattergul. Police said the tractor was transporting nallah boulders without proper authorisation.
The vehicle was seized and FIR No. 38/2026 was registered at the concerned police station. Further investigation is underway.
Police reiterated their commitment to protecting natural resources and warned that strict legal action would be taken against those involved in illegal mining activities. The public has been urged to report such activities, with police assuring that the identity of informants will be kept confidential.
