SONAMARG — A 16-wheeler truck carrying Food Corporation of India (FCI) rice towards Kargil was seized in Sonamarg after a discrepancy emerged in the documents produced by its driver at two different points, police said.
The truck, bearing registration number JK02DT-6337, was travelling from Kangan towards Kargil when it reached the Traffic Check Post at Sonamarg.
According to sources, a security guard deployed by Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited (MEIL), which is executing the Zojila Tunnel project, stopped the vehicle and sought the challan for the material being transported.
The driver allegedly produced a challan in the name of MEIL showing cement for the tunnel, following which the vehicle was allowed to proceed, sources said.
The matter came under scrutiny after MEIL officials later made inquiries about the vehicle and sought verification of the consignment.
When the truck was stopped for checking, the driver allegedly produced an FCI challan showing that the vehicle was carrying rice instead.
MEIL subsequently informed Sonamarg Police, following which the truck was taken into custody and FIR No. 23/2026 was registered at Police Station Sonamarg.
SHO Sonamarg Rais Ahmad confirmed to the news agency KNT that the driver had produced one challan at one location and another at a different location. He said the latter document was reportedly found to be genuine.
Ahmad said the vehicle had been seized and an investigation was underway.
The investigation is examining the circumstances in which the two challans were produced, the movement of the FCI consignment and whether the documents were allegedly being used to facilitate movement of the vehicle in an area where restrictions apply to 16-wheeler cargo trailers.
Sources said 16-wheeler cargo trailers are generally not permitted on the Sonamarg-Gumri highway, while vehicles carrying cement for the Zojila Tunnel project are allowed to proceed up to Baltal under the applicable arrangement.
The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the two documents and the movement of the truck.
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