Udhampur Police Strike Hard on Bovine Smuggling: 250 Rescued, 38 Arrested, and ₹50 Lakh Assets Seized in Major Crackdown

UDHAMPUR, March 02, 2026 — In a massive two-month enforcement drive against illegal animal transportation, the Udhampur District Police have successfully dismantled a significant bovine smuggling network operating across the region.

During the months of January and February 2026, the department registered 34 separate cases, resulting in the rescue of 250 bovines from unlawful transit. This intensified operation led to the arrest of 38 individuals, while one habitual offender was detained under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) to prevent further criminal activity.

Furthermore, authorities seized 28 vehicles used in these illegal operations, signaling a zero-tolerance approach toward those violating livestock transportation laws in Jammu and Kashmir.

In an unprecedented move to cripple the financial backbone of these smuggling syndicates, the District Police also executed a major financial crackdown by attaching movable properties worth approximately ₹50 lakhs under Section 107(5) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

The attached assets include high-value commercial vehicles, such as a Tata Mobile and a tanker, which were identified as being linked to habitual offenders.

By targeting the economic incentives of the trade, the Udhampur Police aim to permanently disrupt the smuggling infrastructure.

Reaffirming their commitment to regional stability and the rule of law, officials have urged the public to continue sharing credible information to assist in the total elimination of this illegal practice.