23 bovines seized, 2 smugglers arrested

Excelsior Correspondent

UdHAMPUR, Mar 3: The police foiled two attempts of the smugglers in Udhampur and Akhnoor area and seized 23 milch animals during last night.
Officials said a police team from Police Station Rehambal, during a routine naka at Phalata intercepted a canter bearing registration number NL01N-0559 coming from Jammu towards Srinagar. Upon inspection, the officials found 20 bovines cruelly tied with ropes inside the vehicle, being transported illegally without valid permission to Kashmir.
The vehicle’s driver, identified as Shiv Dutt, son of Chaman Lal, resident of Ward No. 59, Paloura, Jammu, and co-passenger Zakir Hussain Khatana, son of Jaleel Ahmed Khatana, resident of Manzmoh Quazigund, Tehsil Doru, in district Anantnag, was arrested on the spot.
All rescued bovines have been shifted to a safer place. In this regard, a case FIR No. 34/2025 U/S 223 BNS, 11 PCA Act has been registered at Police Station, Rehambal.
Meanwhile, Akhnoor police successfully foiled a bovine smuggling bid late Sunday night and rescued 3 cattle. The smuggling attempt was being carried out in a Maruti Swift car, which was intercepted at Chowki Choura Naka during routine vehicle checking.
A police team, led by PSI Vinay Kumar, Incharge Police Post Chowki Choura, intercepted Swift car No. DL9CX-5844 coming from Jammu towards Rajouri. The driver managed to escape leaving behind the vehicle. Three bovines were found loaded in a cruel and inhumane manner. The police rescued the animals and seized the vehicle. A case has been registered under relevant sections at Police Station Akhnoor.