GILGIT: The authorities arrested 28 persons allegedly involved in illegal forest cutting during a search operation in Diamer here on Tuesday.

According to forest officials, a raid on the people involved in illegal timber cutting was conducted in Khambari area of Tangir valley in Diamer. Backed by local police, the operation was led by DFO Mohammad Iftikhar.

They said that the raiding team arrested 28 persons involved in illegal forest cutting in the area.

The arrested persons were presented before a forest magistrate court.

The court sentenced 19 persons to three-month imprisonment under Forest Act, 1927. They were shifted to district jail in Diamer. However, nine were released for being underage.

According to a notification issued by forest department, the operation against the people involved in illegal forest cutting was completed successfully.

Range officer Roman Ghayas, other forest officials including Shah Jahangir, Ghulamullah, Sher Ayaz, conservator Ijlal Hussain and deputy commissioner were monitoring the operation.

Published in Dawn, April 11th, 2019