A police spokesperson said acting on specific information about the illegal extraction of sand from the River Jhelum, a police team from Police Station Awantipora raided Gagri Bal in Awantipora and caught two persons allegedly involved in the offence.

"The accused, identified as Reyees Ahmad Bhat, son of Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat, and Sabzar Ahmad Bhat, son of Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, both residents of Bahoo, Awantipora, were found illegally extracting sand using two motorboats, causing damage to the banks of the River Jhelum," the spokesperson said.

He said both accused were arrested on the spot and the two motorboats used in the alleged offence were seized. "FIR No. 161/2026 has been registered at Police Station Awantipora under the relevant provisions of law, and further investigation is underway," the spokesperson said.

In a separate operation, the spokesperson said police in Shopian seized two tractors involved in the illegal extraction and transportation of minerals from the Imamsahib area during routine patrolling. "The tractors were found transporting minerals without valid royalty documents. FIR No. 47/2026 has been registered at Police Station Imamsahib under the relevant provisions of law and investigation has been taken up," the spokesperson said.