MUZAFFARGARH: The Wildlife Department registered a case against three people on Wednesday for poaching in Layyah.

Suspects Ghulam Muhammad Khan Sehar, Sajid Khan Sehar and Mohiuddin Khan Sehar, all belonging to an influential political family, were named in a first information report.

The wildlife officials found bird sounds on a loudspeaker, illegal weapons, and slaughtered wild ducks (murghabi) at the crime scene at Patan Shinwala on the River Indus.

Wildlife official Imtiaz Hussain reported that during the raid, the suspects fired at him and, at gunpoint, seized all birds before fleeing the scene.

The suspect not only threatened wildlife employees but also interfered with their car at Patan Shinwala of the Indus. Raids are being conducted to arrest the suspects.

Officials stated the several poachers were involved in the hunting of migratory birds at Taunsa Barrage on the Indus too. Despite frequent complaints from local residents about illegal hunting, the wildlife department has failed to take action.

Senior member Malik Khadim Hussain of Sindho Bachao Tarla, a civil society working with local communities, alleged when poachers were caught, the department often dealt leniently, registering nominal cases where fines were paid, allowing the accused to be released.

SMUGGLED OIL: The Layyah police thwarted the smuggling of a large quantity of Iranian oil through the River Indus.

The arrested suspects Bilal Hussain, Mukhtiar Hussain, Muhammad Sawal, and Rafiq were trying to transport Iranian oil via boats for illegal sale.

The suspects fired at the police party during the operation, but no casualties or property damage occurred.

Karor DSP Shakeel Ahmed arrived at the scene, commending the efforts of the officials involved.

The police registered a case against the suspects who fired on the police party. Iranian petrol, smuggled by the accused, was seized at the scene.

ACCIDENT: One Rescue 1122 official died, and another was seriously injured in a road accident early on Wednesday morning.

The officials were on their way home when their motorcycle collided with a tractor-trolley loaded with sugarcane. Imran died at the scene, while the injured Tariq was taken to a hospital.

Published in Dawn, February 29th, 2024