MANSEHRA: Police foiled a bid to illegally move a large quantity of timber out of Mansehra district on Wednesday.

DPO Shafiullah Khan Gandapur told reporters that wooden beams were seized as they’re being illegally transported from Siran and Konsh valleys to other parts of the country.

He said the crackdown on illegal tree felling and timber transportationwas under way.

Accompanied by SP Resham Jehangir, Mr Gandapur said the operation was initiated after the government’s complete ban on tree felling and timber transportation across the province.

“Police teams from Shinkiari, Nawazabad, Battal, Khaki and other areas intercepted vehicles and seized a large amount of high-quality timber,” he said.

The DPO said timber smugglers threatened to exploit dense forests and diverse flora and fauna in the district.

“We will not allow anyone to destroy our natural resources. I ask residents to report timber smuggling to the police’s control room,,” he said.

SP Resham said that targeted raids during the ongoing crackdown would continue until the desired results were achieved.

“This action is aimed at preserving forests in Siran and Konsh valleys, and other densely forested areas of the district,” she said.

The SP said a control room had been established with designated phone numbers to report incidents of deforestation and timber smuggling.

“Names of informers will be kept confidential,” she said.

KILLED: Two members of a family were killed and another suffered critical wounds when a jeep fell into a deep ravine in the Shalkanabad area of Kolai-Palas district on Tuesday night.

The accident occurred as the driver lost control of the jeep while negotiating a sharp turn on the way to Sharyal from Palas.

The Rescue 1122 officials shifted the injured to a nearby health facility where doctors declared Siddique Khan and Abdullah Siraj dead. MohammadAnayat was referred to the Ayub Medical Complex, Abbottabad, due to criticalinjuries.

The bodies were handed over to the families after doctors completed medico-legal formalities.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2025