Forest Department Foils Khairwood Smuggling Bid After Daring Midnight Chase in Jammu

jj correspondent
Jammu, Jul 01: In a remarkable display of vigilance and swift action, the Forest Department, Jammu, carried out a daring midnight operation that resulted in the interception and seizure of a vehicle illegally transporting valuable Khairwood. The meticulously executed operation unfolded during the intervening night of June 30 and July 1, 2025, and stands as yet another testament to the unwavering resolve of the Forest Department to protect the region’s dwindling forest wealth.
Acting on precise and actionable intelligence inputs about the clandestine movement of illicit forest produce, an alert team from the Kalidhar Forest Range laid a strategic naka at the busy Jewel Chowk – a key junction often used by smugglers to slip through under the cover of darkness. The operation was spearheaded by the vigilant Range Officer, Vijay Khosla, under the close supervision and guidance of Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Jammu,
Suresh Manda. As the suspect vehicle – a Tata Safari bearing registration number JK02AH-9900 – approached the naka point, forest personnel signalled the driver to stop for inspection. However, in a desperate attempt to evade capture, the driver accelerated, triggering a high-speed pursuit through the city’s thoroughfares. Displaying remarkable courage and tactical coordination, the forest officials pursued the vehicle relentlessly. The chase culminated at Green Belt Park, Gandhi Nagar, where the determined team finally intercepted and brought the vehicle to a halt.
A thorough inspection revealed the vehicle was laden with approximately 10 quintals of illicit Khairwood – a highly prized forest commodity often targeted by timber smugglers for its lucrative market value. The entire operation was executed with exemplary dedication by a team comprising Vikas Gupta, Block Officer Chowki; Surjeet Singh, Block Officer Sumah; and Forest Guards Vipin Jamwal and Rajeshwar Singh of Jammu Range.
A Forest Offence Report (FOR) has been formally registered under relevant sections of the Forest Act, and confiscation proceedings for the seized vehicle have been initiated before the court of the Authorized Officer (DFO Jammu).
DFO Jammu, Suresh Manda, lauded the commendable efforts of the field staff and reiterated the department’s steadfast commitment to safeguarding the region’s forest resources from unscrupulous elements. He asserted that intensified patrolling, vigilant surveillance, and swift punitive measures shall continue unabated to deter timber smugglers and forest offenders.
The Forest Department has once again demonstrated that any attempt to plunder the green wealth of Jammu will be met with resolute action and brought to book without fear or favour – thereby setting a strong precedent for others who dare to trifle with nature’s bounty.