Punjab authorities conducted four raids against suspected illegal mining across Pathankot, Kapurthala and Sri Anandpur Sahib. The operations yielded machinery and vehicle seizures, cases and one arrest.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann (Photo: PTI)
Chandigarh,Oct 18, 2026 18:02 IST
The Punjab government has intensified its crackdown on illegal mining, with four enforcement operations in Pathankot, Kapurthala and Sri Anandpur Sahib leading to the seizure of heavy machinery and vehicles, the registration of cases and one arrest, Mining and Geology Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said on Saturday.
The operations targeted unauthorised extraction and sale of mineral material as the Mann government continued its action against illegal mining.
In Pathankot, a late-night raid in Jaswan village led officials to seize a Poklain machine and a tipper carrying around 400 cubic feet of gravel. Authorities registered a case at Taragarh Police Station under the Mines and Minerals Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The department said Trehan Stone Crusher, registered in the name of Navjot Singh, had already been suspended in May 2026. However, it allegedly continued operations using a generator and selling mineral material. The owner also allegedly misled customers by claiming that the government had approved the operation.
In Kapurthala, a joint raid by the Mining Department's flying squad and police in Khijarpur village resulted in the seizure of six tippers, a Poklain machine and a tractor. Two of the tippers were carrying around 800 cubic feet of sand each.
Police registered a first information report against Mical, a Jalandhar resident, and five other identified persons. The department said the operation resulted in one arrest.
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