KATRA: Acting swiftly, Katra Police apprehended an illegal pony operator on Mata Vaishno Devi track and also worked out a temple theft case by arresting the alleged burglers.

At around 1800 hours during routine patrolling on the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi (SMVD) track, one individual coming from Sameer Point towards Banganga along with a pony was stopped for questioning. He identified himself as Abdul Wahid son of Mohd Bashir, resident of Narla, Tehsil Khwaas, District Rajouri.

Upon verification, he failed to produce any authorized registered service card required for operating as a pony operator on the SMVD track, as mandated by SDM Katra notification. The individual confessed to working without proper authorization.

Accordingly, a case FIR number 196/2025 U/S 223(a) BNS has been registered in this connection at P/S Katra and further investigation into the matter is going on.

Meanwhile, Police Station Katra has worked out a theft case at Shiv Temple, Chamba (Katra) where unknown persons had broken open the donation box and stolen money from it.

Using a combination of technical surveillance and human intelligence, police successfully identified and apprehended two suspects Ajay Singh son of Shankar Singh and Imran Mohd son of Mohd Qasim, both residents of Chandwa, Chamba, Tehsil Katra.

Upon sustained questioning, both the accused confessed to their involvement in the theft, and a recovery of Rs 13,200 was made from them within a few hours. Further investigation into the case is ongoing on.

Both the operations were conducted under the leadership of SHO Katra Insp Khyatimaan Khajuria and the supervision of SDPO Katra Dr Bhishm Dubey along with SP Katra Vipan Chandran.