Kishtwar, July 15: Police on Friday busted an international gang of alleged Sapphire smugglers here by arresting four persons, including three Sri Lankan nationals.
 Some top officials of Jammu and Kashmir Minerals Limited have come under scanner after the arrests, sources said.
 Officials said smuggled sapphire worth lakh of rupees was recovered from the possession of the alleged smugglers. “We are suspecting the involvement of some top officials of JKML and are zeroing in on them”, a senior police officer claimed. He said there was every possibility that the accused, who landed in police net, were having links in the government owned company.
 Giving details, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Headquarters Kishtwar, Abrar Chowdhary told Greater Kashmir that a special team was constituted after revelation that some persons from outside the country were involved in the smuggling of world renowned blue sapphire from Padder mines to international market.
 The police team under the supervision of SP Kishtwar, Bhim Sen Tutti kept a close watch on the road leading to Sochan sapphire mines in Padder areas. The accused were finally apprehended from a vehicle at Honjala when they were on way to Kishtwar.
 The arrested persons have been identified as Muhammad Ikram son of Abu Hassan, Muhammad Shah Bin Qasim Bin Hattar son of Zaabur Bin Sultan Izakore, Akber Qasim son of Azhar Al Zehrat all residents of Berola, Tehsil and District Kalutara Sri Lanka. The local contact accompanying them has been identified as Ramesh Kumar son of Diwan Chand Thakur of Village Sounder Dachan district Kishtwar.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 15 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 15 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 16 Jul 2011 00:00:00 IST