‘Terror hunt’ takes lid off illegal cattle trade

Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Pathankot, February 19

What began on Saturday as a police hunt for “terror suspects” ended today in the unravelling of an inter-state cattle smuggling racket active in neighbouring Jammu and Kashmir and the border area of Dinanagar in Punjab.

An ASI was yesterday injured after being run over by an Alto car near Madhopur, prompting the police to launch a manhunt for the five occupants.  Already on high alert ever since the 2016 Pathankot airbase terror attack, the police formed five teams to trace the suspects.

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In a dramatic turn of events, one of the accused, Bhagu Khan, surrendered at SSP Nilambari J Vijay’s residence this morning. Investigations revealed the occupants were professional cattle smugglers who had been in the business for several years.

The other accused are: Mohammad Sadiq, Rumuddin Khan, Bali Mohammad and Barkat Ali — all Gujjars from Jammu and Kashmir.

“The accused, who left their car behind, were scouting the area to smuggle out their next consignment when they were stopped by the police. They had been using Gujjars living near the Pathankot-Jammu national highway for logistical support,” the police said.

A hunt was on to arrest the  remaining accused.