KHOWAI: In a daring midnight operation, the state forest department, in coordination with local police, successfully foiled a major timber smuggling attempt in the Warengtubari area under Khowai subdivision. The joint operation led to the seizure of two vehicles packed with illegal logs.
Acting on precise intelligence regarding the movement of forest looters, a dedicated patrolling team took positions along the suspected route around midnight. Following hours of vigilance, officials intercepted the two smuggling vehicles at approximately 6:00 AM on Tuesday. Upon inspection, authorities recovered nearly 180 cubic feet of illicit timber. The market value of the confiscated wood is estimated to be between ₹5.5 lakh and ₹6 lakh.
The high-stakes operation was spearheaded by Sub-Divisional Forest Officer (SDFO) Sushmita Das, whose timely tactical leadership completely shattered the smugglers’ blueprints. Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Ashok Kumar, IFS, along with forest official Bimal Nama and a strong contingent of security personnel, played crucial roles in securing the perimeter and executing the seizure.
While the smugglers managed to flee the spot taking advantage of the early morning terrain, authorities have registered a case. Investigation is underway to track down the network behind this illicit trade.