Kapurthala, October 18, 2026: Authorities have launched a major crackdown on suspected unauthorised sand mining along the Beas river belt after a joint enforcement team raided a site at Khijarpur village in Sultanpur Lodhi and seized several heavy vehicles and mining equipment.
The operation resulted in the arrest of one person, while seven others have been booked and are being traced by police. The action was initiated after the Mining Department received information about suspected mining activity in the area.
During the raid, officials seized six tipper trucks, a hydraulic excavator and a tractor from the site. Two of the tippers were found loaded with sand, while the remaining vehicles were located around the suspected excavation area.
The person arrested during the operation has been identified as Michael, a resident of Lamma Pind in Jalandhar. According to the case record, he was found driving a tipper carrying sand and allegedly could not produce the required permission or documentation when questioned by the enforcement team.
As the officials moved deeper into the area, additional vehicles were found near the suspected mining site. Several drivers allegedly left their vehicles and fled after noticing the raiding party.
The operation was carried out by a flying squad comprising officials from the Mining Department along with police personnel. SDO Jasvir Singh, Junior Engineers Ashwini Kumar and Taranjit, and DSP Amarbir Singh were among the officials associated with the enforcement action.
Police registered a case at Talwandi Chaudhrian Police Station under Section 21(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
The suspected mining site lies in the Mand belt near the Beas, around 10 acres inland from the river. Investigators found several pits and freshly disturbed patches of ground in the area, which are now being examined as part of the inquiry.
Police are also investigating who owned or controlled the seized machinery, who arranged the alleged extraction of sand and where the material was intended to be transported.
The seizure of multiple heavy vehicles has widened the scope of the investigation, with authorities now looking beyond the drivers to determine whether a larger network was involved in organising or financing the activity.
The seven other persons named or linked with the case have not yet been arrested. Police teams are working to trace them and establish their individual roles.
At this stage, the allegations of illegal mining remain subject to investigation and subsequent legal proceedings. The arrest and registration of an FIR do not by themselves establish guilt.
Officials are expected to examine vehicle ownership records, mining permissions and other documents as the investigation progresses.
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