10 bovine smugglers arrested in Udhampur, 123 animals rescued

Jammu: Police foiled cattle smuggling bids by arresting 10 persons and rescuing over 120 animals at different places in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, a senior police officer said.

A truck was intercepted by a police team in the Jakahani area and during its checking it was found that smugglers were illegally taking 18 bovines to Kashmir, Senior Superintendent of Police Rajiv Pandey said.

The animals were rescued and the accused arrested, he said.

Similarly, 105 bovines were rescued from Battal Ballian, Jakhani and Bharat Nagar areas. The animals taken on foot by the smugglers towards Kashmir without any permission, Pandey said.

A total of 10 smugglers — Sameer Ahmed, Mohmmad Rafi, Mohmmad Sharif, Manzoor Ali, Mohmmad Asif, Showkat Ali, Bhag Hussain, Noor illahi, Mohmmad Din, and Shabir Ahmed — were arrested, he said.

Cases were registered at Police Station Udhampur under relevant sections of law and further investigation is on, the official said.

(PTI)