India, Oct. 5 -- The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) foiled an attempt to steal coal in Jharkhand's Latehar district on Monday, seizing five tipper trucks carrying about 250 tonnes of coal. The seizure is part of a widening crackdown on theft and pilferage in areas run by Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), a Coal India subsidiary, an official said.

CISF Deputy Inspector General Sumant Singh told PTI that a joint team of the force and CCL acted on intelligence about theft and illegal dumping of coal in a forest area near Ojha Tandi village. The operation began around 3 am on October 5, after the team learnt that five Hyva vehicles were at the spot.

The drivers abandoned their vehicles and fled when they saw the CISF personnel, Si...