Smugglers attack Forest employee in Shopian

SHOPIAN — A Forest Department employee sustained head injuries after he was attacked by jungle smugglers on late Monday night. The employee, however, managed to seize a couple of horses and illicit timber, but smugglers fled away from the spot, taking the advantage of darkness.

The incident occurred in Aglar area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district.

While divulging information about the incident, Romshi Forest Range Officer said that they had received information about the movement of smugglers in Aglar area and accordingly, a night patrolling team was alerted that intercepted a group of smugglers carrying illicit timber on horses.

“On being challenged, the smugglers attacked an employee with a rod and fled away from the spot,” he said.

“We seized horses and timber and shifted the employee Hilal Ahmed to nearby medical facility. Ahmed has received some stitches in his head and is stable,” he said, adding that an FIR has been lodged at a local Police Station against the smugglers.