SRINAGAR, Aug. 17 -- Jammu and Kashmir authorities carried out 9,417 seizures and registered 285 FIRs against illegal mining during the financial year 2025-26, recovering Rs 20.009 crore in penalties, according to official government data. The figures, however, have raised concerns over the apparent gap between enforcement actions and criminal prosecution, with several districts reporting hundreds of seizures but very few FIRs.
Kathua district recorded the highest number of seizures at 1,019, but only one FIR was registered in the district.
Kupwara as per the government data reported 972 seizures and 48 FIRs, while Baramulla recorded 845 seizures and 41 FIRs. Samba registered 800 seizures, but there was no FIR registered.
The data reveal...