73 animals rescued; 4 arrested in Ramban and Rajouri districts

Four suspected smugglers were arrested and 73 animals rescued Sunday as police foiled separate attempts of bovine smuggling in Ramban and Rajouri districts of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

Three trucks transporting 54 bovines to Kashmir without a permit were intercepted near the highway township of Ramban along Jammu-Srinagar national highway and rescued, the officials said.

They said the truck drivers were arrested and a case under relevant sections of law was registered against them.

Another 16 animals were rescued from a truck after a chase at Kallar in Rajouri district, the officials said.

The vehicle was seized and a hunt has been launched to nab its driver who managed his escape, they added.

One more person was arrested after three bovines were recovered from his load carrier during checking near Salani bridge in Rajouri district, the officials said.

(With inputs from agencies.)