Srinagar: A highland cattle raid unfolded in the pastures of Kulgam district earlier this month as thugs left with a bounty of wool and horns.
They drove away with a staggering 193 animals — a bleating fortune worth Rs 25 lakh.
However, police, which had launched a massive hunt, finally caught up with the thieves this week. Three suspects have been arrested and all livestock recovered, police said.
On October 8, a group of thugs descended upon Humpathri meadows in the D K Marg area of south Kashmir district, beat up women guarding the livestock, before ruthlessly rounding up the only source of their livelihood.
An astonishing 181 sheep and 12 goats vanished, as if into thin air.
A complaint was lodged at the D K Marg police post, prompting the police to register an FIR and initiate an investigation.
The rustlers might have thought they could quietly escape through the rugged terrain and scatter, sell, or butcher a quarter-crore-rupee flock.
Police launched an intensive tracking operation, combing and sweeping through hillside trails and monitoring local cattle-trade channels.
After days of pursuit, police caught hold of three key suspects. Pulling off an astonishing sweep, they also recovered all stolen animals before they could hit the meat markets.
With the three accused behind bars, police are investigating the matter further. Details of how the thieves carried out the heist are yet unclear.
The entire flock was, however, saved and is headed back to where they belong — among the green, bountiful pastures.