Jammu, Feb 27 (KNO): The Anti-Corruption Bureau has launched sweeping Joint Surprise Checks (JSCs) targeting illegal mining operations across the Udhampur and Reasi districts.
In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), an ACB spokesman said that the crackdown is a decisive move to protect the region's environment and combat corruption.
“The operation was initiated following serious complaints of widespread illegal mineral extraction across the Jammu Division. Preliminary reports indicated a suspected nexus between mineral bidders and certain officials within the Mining and Ecological Departments, allowing these activities to operate unchecked,” the statement said, adding, “To immediately halt the illegal extraction and misuse of natural resources, specialized ACB teams—spearheaded by Gazetted Officers—executed coordinated, surprise inspections at multiple stone crushing facilities throughout both districts.”
While sharing the key findings from the operation, the statement said: “ACB sleuths conducted extensive searches, confiscating crucial electronic gadgets, critical records, and highly incriminating documents. Multiple allegedly forged 'Form-A' transit documents were recovered directly from the operational sites.”
It said, “All inspected stone crushers were found to be actively indulging in illegal mining. Facilities were operating in grave violation of their mandated terms and conditions, causing irreversible ecological degradation to the region.”
“The ACB remains steadfast in its commitment to dismantling corrupt networks and halting the exploitation of Jammu’s natural resources. Further investigations based on the recovered evidence are actively underway,” the statement added—(KNO)