Chandigarh, October 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Punjab Mining Department has intensified its crackdown on illegal mining, carrying out four enforcement operations across Pathankot, Kapurthala and Sri Anandpur Sahib. The operations resulted in the seizure of heavy machinery and vehicles, registration of cases and the arrest of one person, Mines and Geology Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said on Saturday.
Goyal said that during a late-night operation in the Jaswan village area of Pathankot district, the department seized a Poklain machine and an unnumbered tipper carrying approximately 400 cubic feet (CFT) of gravel.
Multiple teams from the District Mining Office, Pathankot, inspected the crusher zone in Jaswan village. During the inspection at Trehan Stone Crusher, officials allegedly found a yellow Poklain machine, Model R215L (CR No. N635D01027), being used for illegal mining. An unnumbered tipper bearing chassis number MAT569054 TAD12679, loaded with around 400 CFT of gravel, was also found at the site.
The police took possession of the machinery and the gravel-laden tipper. A case was registered at Taragarh Police Station under Section 21(1) of the Mines and Minerals Act, 1957, and Sections 303(2) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The minister further said that Trehan Stone Crusher had already been suspended by the Executive Engineer, Drainage-cum-Mining and Geology, through letter No. 5243 dated May 22, 2026. Despite the suspension, the unit was allegedly operating with the help of a generator and selling mineral material. The crusher owner was also accused of misleading customers by claiming that the unit had government approval to operate.
According to departmental records, the stone crusher is registered in the name of Navjot Singh, son of Khajan Singh, a resident of Manwal Bagh village under Shahpurkandi Police Station in Pathankot district.
In a separate operation in Kapurthala district, the Mining Department’s flying squad, along with local police, raided Khijarpur village and seized six tippers, a Poklain machine and a tractor in connection with alleged illegal mining. Two of the seized tippers were each carrying approximately 800 CFT of sand.
An FIR was registered against Mical, a resident of Lamma Pind in Jalandhar, and five unidentified persons under Section 21(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act at Talwandi Chaudharian Police Station in Kapurthala district.
In Sri Anandpur Sahib, officials conducted raids in Swara village over two days to curb illegal mining. In the first case, FIR No. 152, dated October 16, 2026, was registered against a landowner over alleged illegal mining.
In the second case, a complaint was submitted against a landowner, while an orange-coloured Tata Hitachi EX 110i Poclain machine allegedly used for illegal mining was seized and handed over to the police.
Goyal said the government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann was committed to curbing illegal mining and taking strict legal action against those found violating mining regulations. He added that the Mining Department was working closely with the police to detect illegal activities and ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.
The minister said strict enforcement was necessary to prevent losses to the state exchequer and ensure that mining activities were carried out in accordance with prescribed rules and regulations.
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