Paktika Authorities Seize Vehicles in Illegal Wood Smuggling Crackdown

Authorities in Paktika province have intercepted multiple vehicles engaged in the illegal transport of timber, marking the latest phase of provincial efforts to curb environmental smuggling. Over the past week, the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock conducted operations in the provincial center and several surrounding districts to halt the unauthorized movement of wood.

Mawlawi Lal Mohammad Gohar, head of the provincial department, confirmed the seizure of six vehicles used in the smuggling network. According to Gohar, the confiscated fleet included two Super trucks, one Mazda truck, and three Datsun vehicles. The operations targeted routes connected to the Sherani, Surubi, and Sar Roz districts, where authorities have identified recurring illegal logging activity.

Gohar emphasized that the department maintains an active enforcement campaign aimed at preserving the region’s natural forests and upholding provincial regulations against resource exploitation. Officials indicated that these recent interdictions are part of a sustained initiative that has previously resulted in formal legal proceedings against individuals and networks involved in the illicit timber trade. The provincial department continues to monitor key transport corridors and coordinate with local authorities to prevent further unauthorized harvesting and protect regional woodland areas from depletion. The department’s recent actions reflect a broader administrative priority to safeguard provincial ecosystems and ensure compliance with environmental directives.