PESHAWAR: The climate change, forests, environment, and wildlife department has launched crackdown on the illegal gold mining in different areas of Kohat, and has confiscated 112 excavators and registered 36 cases against the people involved in the unlawful practice.

In accordance with the directives of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, a joint operation against illegal gold mining in the Rakh Topi and Rakh Saban areas of Kohat district was successfully carried out by the forest department, the local administration, the police, and the minerals department.

According to Latifur Rahman, a spokesperson for the department of climate change, forests, environment, and wildlife, 36 cases were registered during 11 different raids, and legal proceedings had been initiated. In this connection, four suspects were also arrested.

He said during the operation, four pickup trucks, seven motorcycles, 112 excavators, 141 generators, 34 fuel drums, 11 batteries, 27 tents, 15 pipes, a tractor and other mining equipment were seized.

He said in 17 cases, compounding was done, resulting in fines and penalties totalling Rs685,400.

He said to prevent illegal mining a joint checkpoint had been established at a central location. “Five permanent forest guards have also been deployed. For effective monitoring, CCTV cameras have been installed.” — Bureau Report