Nahan, Jan. 28 -- In a significant crackdown on illegal logging, the Forest Department has busted an active forest mafia operating in the Saketi area of the Kala Amb industrial zone in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh.
Acting on a specific tip-off, forest officials intercepted the gang during a pre-dawn operation on Tuesday, arresting one accused while four others managed to flee.
According to officials, the mafia suspected of having infiltrated from neighbouring Haryana was involved in the illegal felling and smuggling of Khair timber under the cover of darkness.
Following confidential inputs, the department planned a coordinated action and erected a naka near Saketi village around 4 am.
During the operation, one accused, identifie...